Surge in number of flu admissions having ‘high imapct’ on hospitals
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The number of people in hospital with flu in England is rising at a ‘very concerning rate’ and is more than four times the level it was a month ago, according to NHS data. Figures from NHS England show an average of 4,469 flu patients were in beds in England each day last week, including 211 in critical care.
![[Number of people in hospital with flu ‘rising at a very concerning rate’]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_209608956-d906.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
This is up 17% from 3,818 the previous week, when 184 were in critical care and is more than four times the number on December 1, when the figure was 1,098. When comparing to last winter, the average number of flu patients in hospital in England each day last week is up sharply on the equivalent week last year when the average was 1,312.
![[Number of people in hospital with flu ‘rising at a very concerning rate’]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_234867212-a82e.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
But it is lower than this point two years ago, when the figure stood at 5,441. Professor Julian Redhead, NHS national clinical director for urgent and emergency care, said the figures ‘show the pressure from flu was nowhere near letting up before we headed into the New Year’ and cases are ‘rising at a very concerning rate’.
Flu admissions are now classed as having a ‘high impact’ on hospitals in England, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). The admission rate for flu patients stood at 14.1 per 100,000 people last week, up from 10.7 the previous week and the highest level so far this season.
Rates are currently highest among people aged 85 and over, at 88.4 per 100,000, followed by 75-84 year-olds (47.6 per 100,000) and children aged four and under (26.1 per 100,000). Professor Susan Hopkins, UKHSA chief medical adviser, said: ‘For many of us, the festive period is marked with parties and socialising with friends and family, meaning it’s not unusual to see an increase in flu at this time of year and this was anticipated.
