The NHS in England is on high alert as flu hospital admissions reach an all-time high for this time of year, with an average of 3,140 patients in hospital daily by the end of last week, an 18% increase from the previous week. This compares to 2,629 patients at the same time last year and just 648 in 2023.
Experts from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) urge people to stay home over Christmas if they have flu or Covid symptoms, as flu levels plateau but could surge again in the New Year. They recommend regular hand washing, good ventilation, and free vaccinations for those eligible.
While flu cases have slowed in some regions, such as a 4% drop in the north-west, they continue to rise elsewhere: up 39% in the east of England and 40% in the south-west. Critical care beds occupied by flu patients rose to 128 last week, up from 106 the previous week.
The figures come as resident doctors begin the second of five days of strikes over pay. NHS England national medical director Prof Meghana Pandit said the NHS is “nowhere near out of the woods yet” and urged people to continue seeking care as normal.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting appealed to the public to get flu jabs, noting the “regrettable” strike action by the British Medical Association adds pressure but the NHS team is keeping patients safe.
