The number of people in hospital in England with the “super flu” are again at record levels for this time of year, coinciding with the five-day doctors’ strike.
An average of 3,140 flu patients were in hospital every day last week, up 18 per cent from 2,660 the previous week.
It is the second week in a row that flu patient numbers have been at a record.
But in some areas of the country the epidemic of the fast-spreading H3N2 strain seems to be slowing, including in the north west, according to data from NHS England.
An average of 386 patients with flu were in hospital in the North West last week, down 4 per cent from 403 the previous week.
South west England and eastern England saw the biggest rises for flu patients, with a leap of 40 per cent in the south west from 139 to 195 and an increase of 39 per cent from 207 to 287.
In southeast England flu patients were up 33 per cent, from 202 to 269; in north east England and Yorkshire they were up 21 per cent, from 673 to 813; in London they rose 18 per cent, from 408 to 484; and in the Midlands they increased by 13 per cent, from 627 to 706.
At this point last year the number stood at 2,629 patients, while in 2023 it was just 648.
Flu bed occupancyWeekly flu numbers in England peaked at 5,408 patients last winter and reached 5,441 over the winter of 2022/23, the highest level since the pandemic.
However the UK Health Security Agency said it was “too early” to say whether flu has peaked this season and urged people to follow good hygiene measures, with limited time now left to get a flu vaccine ahead of the Christmas and New Year period.
Hospital admissions levelling off
Separate figures from the UKHSA suggest that hospital admission rates for flu are levelling off.
This slowing is thought to be due to higher vaccination rates and the public taking additional steps to protect elderly and vulnerable people, NHS England said.
There were 10.3 admissions per 100,000 people last week, broadly unchanged from 10.2 per 100,000 the previous week after a surge in new patients between early November and early December.
Admissions remain highest among people over the age of 85, at 64.6 per 100,000 last week, up from 58.1 the previous week, while the rate for 75 to 84-year-olds was 31.4, broadly unchanged from 31.6.
For children under the age of five, the rate was 27.3 per 100,000, up from 20.3.
Some 128 flu patients were in critical care beds in England last week, up from 106 the previous week and slightly higher than the number at this point last year, which was 125.
NHS England said despite signs that the epidemic is reaching its peak, hospitals remained “on high alert” this week, due to the doctors’ strike and the ongoing influx of patients.
‘Not out of the woods yet’
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: “Flu continues to put significant strain on the NHS, with record numbers of patients in hospital, and frontline services remaining under enormous pressure.
“I’m appealing to the public to protect yourself and your loved ones by getting your flu jab.
“I want to thank NHS staff who are going above and beyond at the toughest time of year. Thanks to their hard work and careful planning, ambulance handovers are around eight minutes quicker than this time last year.
“The BMA’s regrettable decision to pursue strike action at this critical moment is piling on the pressure.”
Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS National Medical Director said: “While some parts of the country will be breathing a sigh of relief with flu cases not rising as quickly as feared, we are nowhere near out of the woods yet.
“Combined with the impact of strikes, a stream of winter viruses means many hospitals will be on high alert in the days ahead.
“But it remains vital that people continue to come forward for NHS care as normal.
Provider: PA Wire“If you need urgent help, dial 999 in an emergency, or use NHS 111 for other care needs.
“And if you are eligible, please come forward for a jab, it’s not too late.”
More than 18m people have now had a flu vaccine, 306,000 more than the same week last year.
NHS hospital staff absence is also up over 1,100 in a week, and up 4,500 or 9 per cent on the same week two years ago.
The UKHSA said that flu is “an unpredictable virus and while there is currently evidence that it is plateauing, the flu season is not yet over with the virus previously peaking well into January and February”.
Those who are eligible for the flu vaccine are at most risk of serious complications from flu – including everyone over 65, those who are pregnant, young infants and those with certain long-term health conditions.
For children who missed out on their school immunisation programme, parents are reminded that they can still get them vaccinated in local community clinics. Pregnant women can also get vaccinated through maternity services.
Dr Alex Allen, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA said: “There are simple steps we can all take to protect one another when mixing indoors. If you have flu or Covid-19 symptoms, including a high temperature, cough and feeling tired or achy, you should try to minimise contact with others, especially those more vulnerable.
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“Washing hands regularly and ensuring indoor spaces are well ventilated helps and we advise those who have symptoms and need to go out, to consider wearing a face covering.
“For anyone eligible who is still not vaccinated, it’s not too late to get protected for the rest of the winter, but time is running out.”
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