2.0 Current Epidemiological Trends: A Focus on Paediatric Cohorts

Analyzing current epidemiological data is crucial for understanding the real-world impact of new sub-variants on health systems and vulnerable populations. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and data from the United States, the recent circulation of Nimbus and Stratus has produced a “slow summer wave.” This has resulted in a measurable increase in test positivity rates and emergency service visits, particularly among sensitive groups such as children and the elderly. Importantly, this increase has not been significant enough to overwhelm hospital capacity.

The trends observed specifically within paediatric populations are notable and warrant clinical attention:

• A distinct increase in cases has been observed among young children, a trend that coincides with the end of the summer holiday period and the beginning of the school and nursery term.
• In the United States, the highest rates of emergency service consultations have been recorded in the 0-4 age group.
• During August 2025, emergency department visits in the US saw a 15.2% increase, with this rise being most pronounced in young children.
• Reassuringly, despite the increase in community transmission and emergency consultations, the rates of associated hospitalization and mortality in children have remained low.

This epidemiological profile—characterized by high transmission volume but low individual severity—directly informs the clinical management strategy of supportive care for the majority and vigilance for the vulnerable.