"In the week up to Sunday there were 2,660 flu cases a day on average in hospital and NHS England said the numbers had continued rising this week. NHS England said it was the equivalent of having three hospitals full of flu patients, with some reporting nearly one in 10 beds occupied by patients with the virus. Officials said the numbers had continued rising this week with fears it may top 5,000 by the weekend."
"Flu rates began rising a month earlier than normal this year driven by a mutated strain of the virus. The dominant strain is H3N2, but it has some genetic changes this year. It means the general public has not encountered this exact version of flu before, which means there maybe less immunity. NHS England said the number of patients in hospital with the vomiting bug norovirus was also on the rise, with more than 350 beds occupied by people with that virus."
The number of patients in hospital in England with influenza rose by more than 50% in the past week, averaging 2,660 cases per day in the week up to Sunday, with reported continued rises. Some hospitals report nearly one in 10 beds occupied by flu patients and totals equivalent to three hospitals full; officials warned figures could top 5,000 by the weekend. The dominant strain is H3N2 with genetic changes, and flu rates began rising a month earlier than normal, reducing population immunity. Norovirus hospital cases are also increasing, occupying over 350 beds, while junior doctor strike action may further strain services.
Read at www.bbc.com
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