SW has largest rise in hospitalised flu cases

HOSPITALS are “nowhere near out of the woods yet” as flu cases remain at record levels for this time of year, health officials have said.

- ELLA PICKOVER AND IAN JONES

The figures were revealed yesterday as resident doctors in England entered the second day of strike action due to a bitter dispute with the Government over jobs and pay.

Officials said that the combination of strikes and rising flu levels mean hospitals remain on “high alert”.

New figures from the NHS show that the number of people in hospital in England with flu continues to rise - including at West Country hospitals - and remains at a record level for this time of year, though the rate of growth has slowed.

An average of 3,140 flu patients were in hospital each day last week, up 18% from 2,660 the previous week.

At this point last year, the number stood at 2,629 patients while in 2023 it was just 648.

NHS England said that there are “welcome signs” that the rise in flu cases in hospital is slowing in some parts of the country - pointing out a fall in flu cases in hospitals in the North West over the past week.

The figures show the number of flu patients in hospital in northwest England has fallen week on week, but has risen in all other regions.

An average of 386 patients with flu were in hospital in the North West last week, down 4% from 403 the previous week.

The biggest percentage increases were in South West England (up 40% from 139 to 195) and eastern England (up 39% from 207 to 287).