A significant resurgence of flu and winter viruses is straining hospitals across England as admissions rise sharply following the Christmas holiday. Recent surveillance data indicates that flu-related hospital admissions have increased by nearly 10 percent compared to the previous week, with more than 2,900 beds occupied daily by flu patients. Among these, over 100 patients required critical care.
The NHS is facing critical pressure, with 92 percent of adult hospital beds currently occupied, a five percent increase from the previous week. Health officials warn that this level of occupancy can negatively impact staff performance and patient care. Professor Meghana Pandit, the NHS national medical director, stated, “It’s clear that the worst is far from over for the NHS this winter, with hospitals again experiencing a rise in patients admitted with flu and other respiratory virus cases last week.”
The situation is compounded by an increase in cases of the winter vomiting bug, norovirus, and Covid-19. As colder weather persists, hospitals are also seeing more vulnerable patients with respiratory issues and injuries from slips and falls due to icy conditions. Professor Pandit emphasized the importance of vaccination as a preventative measure, stating, “It remains important that people come forward for care as usual, and there are still plenty of opportunities to get vaccinated and get protected against flu.”
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting echoed these sentiments, urging eligible individuals to get vaccinated. He noted, “Today’s data shows we are not out of the woods yet. While the NHS is better prepared and performing more strongly than this time last year thanks to the tireless work of staff, the current cold snap is putting fresh pressure on frontline services.”
The dominant strain in circulation is the mutant H3N2 flu strain, also referred to as subclade K or the “super flu.” Experts indicate that this strain has mutated seven times over the summer, allowing it to evade previous immunity. Initial fears suggested that this virus could lead to hospital cases five times higher than average, but current statistics show that hospital admissions are more in line with levels seen in previous years.
Since September, health officials have encouraged millions of eligible individuals to receive their Covid and flu vaccinations to reduce the risk of severe illness and hospitalisation. Those eligible for a free flu jab include individuals over 65, pregnant women, care home residents, and individuals with long-term health conditions. Children aged two to seventeen can also receive a free flu vaccination, typically in the form of a nasal spray.
As of now, over 18.6 million vaccines have been administered in England, reflecting an increase of more than half a million compared to the same period last year. In light of the current situation, Secretary Streeting has stated that there is no need for a mask mandate “at this stage.”
Norovirus, which spreads easily through close contact and contaminated surfaces, poses additional challenges for healthcare facilities. Health officials recommend that individuals do not solely rely on hand sanitizers, as they may not effectively eliminate the virus. Most infected individuals experience nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting, typically recovering at home. However, norovirus outbreaks can lead to hospital pressures as infected patients require isolation, and wards may need to close to new patients to control the spread.
As England grapples with this troubling surge in flu and winter viruses, health officials continue to stress the importance of vaccination and prompt medical care to alleviate the burden on the NHS during this challenging winter season.
