Vaccine reminder as flu cases double

Flu cases in Scotland have more than doubled in a week - with hospital admissions rising 70 per cent.

- RACHEL KEENAN, PA SCOTLAND

Public Health Scotland (PHS) statistics released on Thursday show laboratory-confirmed influenza cases between November 24 and November 30 rose from 845 to 1,759.

Hospital admissions due to influenza increased 70 per cent from 426 to 724.

The highest case rates were observed in younger age groups, however, about 40 per cent of hospital admissions were people aged 65 and over.

PHS said cases have reached medium activity levels, and this has come two weeks earlier than in previous flu seasons.

A number of health boards have increased their flu activity from low and medium to high.