The UK has been alerted to an incoming "tidal wave of flu" as the festive season approaches, with hospitalisation numbers due to the virus seeing a 41% increase than the previous week. According to the latest from NHS England, hospitals are currently more strained than at the pinnacle of last year's flu season, and indications suggest that flu cases might be quadruple what they were in 2023.
In the past week, on average, daily occupied hospital beds numbered at 2,629 patients, with critical cases tallying up to 125. The preceding week's figures stood at 1,861 hospitalised patients and 66 in intensive care -- a significant 41% rise.
Just prior to this, a 70% leap in flu hospitalisations had been recorded. Sir Stephen Powis, NHS England's National Medical Director, cautioned that Britain is on the verge of a "tidal wave of flu."
Amidst the spread of various illnesses including norovirus, persistent coughs, flu, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Prof Powis advised: "As children finish school and friends and families congregate over the Christmas period we expect viruses to continue to spread so if you haven't got your flu jab and are eligible please come forward, and the public should think twice about seeing loved ones if they are seriously unwell."
It's reported that one in every twenty hospital beds in England is presently occupied or made unavailable by a seasonal illness, highlighting the intense pressure the health services are facing during this period, reports the Mirror.
Norovirus bed occupancy has seen a rise of over a quarter compared to last year, as have cases of RSV in children. Saffron Cordery, the CEO of NHS Providers, which represents hospital trusts, stated: "There's been no let-up for NHS trusts as flu and other nasty winter bugs, including norovirus and RSV continue to take their toll. The situation is likely to get worse before it gets better with viruses expected to spread further as schools close for Christmas and festive gatherings get into full swing."
NHS England has issued a warning about a "quad-demic" of flu, norovirus, RSV and rising Covid-19 cases.
From Friday, the NHS online booking system for vaccinations will be closed, but those eligible can still visit a Covid-19 walk-in vaccination site or find a pharmacy offering the flu vaccine. Prof Powis added: "The NHS has been hit hard with an early festive flu season, putting increased pressure on staff as they prepare for the long winter ahead of us. As the busy winter continues, I am incredibly grateful to those staff working to keep patients safe and provide them with the best possible care and I would remind anyone who needs medical support to continue to use 999 and AandE in an emergency and for everything else, use NHS 111 or 111 online."
Patricia Marquis, executive director for the Royal College of Nursing in England, said: "As people prepare for the festivities, nursing staff are battling to hold the service together and are deeply concerned about what the coming weeks will deliver. Right across the NHS beds are full, AandE is facing increasing pressures, while the growing number of flu cases threatens to overwhelm an NHS and workforce already in crisis."
"The situation is made even worse by the strains in social and community care. Lack of care available close to home means more patients are forced to use AandE or are stuck in hospital beds when they are ready to return home."