Flu hospitalisations quadruple - NHS issues advice on when to dial 999
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A stark warning has been sounded as the NHS is hit by a drastic spike in flu rates, with the number of patients hospitalised by the virus quadrupling over recent weeks. Official NHS data reveals that flu hospitalisations in England have risen to more than four times the levels from just a month ago.
The latest count shows an average daily figure of 4,469 flu-ridden patients last week, up from 3,818, with those needing critical care climbing to 211 from 184. On December 1, this number was much lower at 1,098. These alarming stats were part of the latest weekly rundown on how hospitals are coping during the chilly season. Meanwhile, the winter vomiting bug, norovirus, is also causing concern.
Figures for last week show an average of 528 beds were taken up each day by patients with diarrhoea or vomiting symptoms, though this is a dip from 723 the week before - but it remains higher than last year's and the year before's numbers at this time. The UK Health Security Agency dropped a bombshell today, confirming on X: "We've been seeing more norovirus cases than in any season since we started our current reporting system.".
The NHS is bracing for a tough winter as the number of children hospitalised with RSV dips slightly to 74 from 87 last week, but remains higher than last year's figure of 50. Meanwhile, daily Covid-19 hospitalisations have decreased to an average of 1,184 from 1,277, reports Surrey Live.
Amidst the seasonal illnesses, people are being advised to avoid social gatherings and stay home if they exhibit flu symptoms to protect the vulnerable. The NHS has provided guidance on when to seek emergency care for flu symptoms and urges those who haven't yet received their Covid or flu vaccinations to do so promptly.
