NHS England figures found that the number of people in hospital with flu has quadrupled over the past month, marking ‘one of the worst’ flu seasons on record.
Data covering the Christmas and New Year period found that cases increased from 1,190 at the end of November to about 4000 patients in hospital with flu on Christmas day, with a further surge to about 5000 patients by 29 December.
- Winter virus rates surge, leaving nurses ‘battling’ to hold service together
- Public urged to get flu vaccine as hospitalisation rates rise steeply
- Nearly 20,000 flu-related deaths in past 2 winters as jab uptake falls
Professor Julian Redhead, NHS national clinical director for urgent and emergency care expressed concern at pressure on health services because of the soaring flu cases.
‘On top of flu there is also continual pressure from Covid, while respiratory syncytial virus and norovirus hospital cases are also higher than last year, with hospitals putting in place an extra 1,300 beds last week than the same time last year in expectation of this continued pressure from viruses and other demand.’
The main symptoms of flu include a sudden high temperature, a runny of blocked nose, sneezing, tiredness and weakness, difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite, diarrhoea or tummy pain. More severe symptoms that require urgent treatment include pain in breathing or coughing, aches across body, neck and jaw, heart palpitations and signs of shivering or feeling burning sensations.
Health officials have urged people, especially those who are vulnerable or have respiratory conditions, to stay warm, stock up on regular medicines and reach out to their GPs in case symptoms do not subside.
Wes Streeting, Health and Social Care Secretary said: ‘The tidal wave of flu this winter has seen more than three times as many patients in hospital compared with last year, putting huge pressures on the NHS. This government has ended the strikes, so staff are on the frontline this winter rather than the picket line, introduced the new respiratory syncytial vaccine, and put immediate extra investment into the NHS.’
People can use NHS 111 and 111 online if they need advice and support for health conditions and use 999 or attend A&E in life-threatening emergencies.