The NHS has been battling a severe flu outbreak in the UK, with the mutated H3N2 strain circulating – and health bosses have warned of a ‘tidal wave’ of illness
NHS England has unveiled its latest statistics as Britain grapples with its most brutal flu epidemic in decades. This development coincides with the mutated H3N2 variant spreading across the UK, prompting the NHS to issue an urgent ‘flu jab SOS’ to at-risk individuals.
Health chiefs have warned that the NHS could confront a “tidal wave” of sickness in the lead-up to Christmas. The public has been urged to don face coverings outdoors when feeling under the weather.
Daniel Elkeles, chief executive of NHS Providers which represents NHS trusts, revealed the nation is experiencing a “very nasty strain of flu” that has emerged earlier than usual this year, reports the Mirror.
“So children are still at school, it’s warm and wet, so it’s perfect flu-spreading conditions,” he explained to Times Radio.
“When you were talking about anything like Covid, I think we need to get back into the habit that if you are coughing and sneezing, but you’re not unwell enough to not go to work, then you must wear a mask when you’re in public spaces, including on public transport to stop the chances of you giving your virus to somebody else.
“And we were all very good about infection control during Covid. And we really, really need to get back to that now.”
When questioned whether he meant individuals who have “got a cold, they’re snuffling, they are coughing” should don masks in the workplace, Mr Elkeles responded: “I think that would be very sensible to all their colleagues, or probably their colleagues would say ‘please go home’.
“But we have really got to worry about the fact that this is a very nasty strain of flu. It spreads very easily. It’s warm and wet out there and people need to be sensible.” he warned.
Mr Elkeles suggested that the peak of this flu season could surpass previous winters, stating: “We really do need people to sit up and listen.
“And actually, we need to have a big debate probably after this flu season about how we prepare the public better for what happens every year. So if you haven’t already had your flu vaccine and you’re eligible, please go and take it.”
The number of people in hospital in England with flu remains at a record level for this time of year and has jumped by 55% in a week, NHS figures show.
An average of 2,660 flu patients were in hospital each day last week, up from 1,717 the previous week. At this point last year the number stood at 1,861 patients, while in 2023 it was just 402.
Weekly flu numbers in England peaked at 5,408 patients last winter and reached 5,441 over the winter of 2022/23, the highest level since the pandemic.
Some 106 flu patients were in critical care beds in England last week, up from 69 the previous week. This is also a record number for this time of the year.
Separately, an average of 354 hospital beds were filled each day last week by patients with diarrhoea and vomiting or norovirus-like symptoms, up 35% from 263 the previous week.
This is lower than at this point last year, when the figure stood at 837. The figures have been published in the latest weekly snapshot of the performance of hospitals in England this winter.