Flu data: ‘We are not out of the woods’ warns NHS, as rise in hospital flu cases in England slows

Flu surge slowing but NHS ‘not out of woods yet’, warns top doctorpublished at 09:48 GMT

09:48 GMT

As the latest stats show that the surge of flu cases is slowing, England’s top doctor warns that the health service is “not out of the woods yet”.

Meghana Pandit, NHS National Medical Director, says that “combined with the impact of strikes, a stream of winter viruses means many hospitals will be on high alert in the days ahead”.

Pandit says that it remains “vital” that people still seek care from the NHS if they need it.

Following a rise of 18% compared the previous week, NHS England says the slowing is due to “higher vaccination rates” and the “public taking additional steps to protect elderly and vulnerable people”.

In England, more than 18 million people have now had a flu vaccine, 306,000 more than the same week last year.

However, flu cases continue to rise sharply in parts of England, with patients in hospital up 39% in the East of England and 40% in the South West.

NHS England adds that hospital beds are also filling up quickly, with 94.2% occupied each day last week on average.