‘Worst-case state of affairs’ for NHS as ‘superflu’ hospital instances hit report ranges

Need to know

Flu hospitalisations have hit a record level for this time of year in England, driven by the H3N2 strain and poor community immunity – officials fear a ‘worst-case scenario’ for the NHS

Superflu surge: What you need to know

1. Hospitalisations for the “super flu” have reached record levels and continue to rise, with the peak of the outbreak still not in sight.
2. A new map shows the dominant strain, the ‘drifted’ flu variant A(H3N2) – or subclade K, driving an unusually severe flu season due to “less natural immunity in the community.”
3. Last week’s average of 3,140 patients hospitalised marked an 18% increase from the previous week’s 2,660 cases. Figures stood at 2,629 last year and 648 in 2023 at the same point.
4. Hospital admissions for flu patients in critical care beds reached 128 last week, climbing from 106 the week prior. Separately, an average of 427 hospital beds were occupied daily last week by patients with norovirus-like symptoms, representing a 21% increase from the prior week.
5. NHS National Medical Director Professor Meghana Pandit stated the NHS faces a “worst-case scenario” for this time of year, due to the flu wave combined with record demand for A&E, ambulance pressures, and an impending doctors’ strike.
6. One hospital chief warned that the second week of January could be “carnage” due to a perfect storm of flu predictions, post-Christmas surge, and the lag impact of strikes.
7. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is urging everyone who qualifies to receive their flu vaccination, calling vaccines the “best defence” against serious illness.
8. Read the full story: ‘Superflu’ cases mapped as record number of patients in hospital – check your area