Super flu’ wave hits hospitals in England with no peak yet

As the number of patients being treated for flu in hospitals in England rose by more than 50 per cent last week, NHS bosses warned there was no sign yet that the “super flu” would reach its peak.

There were an average of 2,660 flu cases a day in hospital in the week to Sunday, and NHS England said numbers continued to rise this week.

NHS England said this was the equivalent of three hospitals full of flu patients; some reported that almost 1 in 10 beds were occupied by infected patients.

Officials said the numbers continued to rise this week and there are concerns they could exceed 5,000 by the end of the week. Increases are also being reported in other parts of the UK.

In England, children and young people aged 5-14 had the highest flu positivity rates.

But in terms of who is most affected or sickest, flu hospital admission rates in England are highest among people over 75 and children under five.

Prof Meghana Pandit, medical director for NHS England, said: “This unprecedented super flu wave leaves the NHS facing the worst-case scenario for this time of year, with staff stretched to the limit to continue providing the best possible care to patients.”

The number of flu cases in hospitals is at its highest at this time of year since records began; but these only extend to 2021 and so do not include the two worst flu seasons in the last 15 years, seen in 2014-15 and 2017-18.

Flu rates started rising a month earlier than usual this year due to a mutated strain of the virus. The dominant strain is H3N2 but this year it has some genetic changes.

This means the public has not encountered this version of the flu before, which means immunity is perhaps less.

NHS England said that the number of patients in hospital due to the vomiting microbe norovirus has also increased, and more than 350 beds are occupied by people with this virus.

This comes ahead of the junior doctors’ newly named junior doctors’ strike, which starts next week.

There are hopes it could be canceled after Health Secretary Wes Streeting’s new offer prompted the British Medical Association to agree to a survey of its members to see whether they are willing to call off a five-day strike that starts on Wednesday. The results of that survey will be announced on Monday.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer accused the BMA of being “irresponsible” and said it should accept the offer on the table, adding that it could only go forward if they stopped strike action “especially in the run-up to Christmas, especially when we have a problem with flu”.

Daniel Elkeles, from NHS Providers representing hospitals, said: “The NHS is in the eye of an early storm. Flu is hitting hard and other winter illnesses are also on the rise.

“Now more than ever the NHS needs all hands on deck.

“We must hope that doctors based at the BMA will back down from next week’s strike, accept the government’s reasonable offer and put an end to the damaging dispute.”

Data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which takes into account infection levels in the community as well as hospitals, shows infection rates continue to rise, but not as sharply as in the previous week.

However, officials stressed that it was too early to consider this a sign that the flu may be reaching its peak.

They said the virus is unpredictable and a recession could be followed by another surge.

Infectious diseases specialist at UKHSA, Dr. Conall Watson urged people eligible for a free flu jab on the NHS, including over-65s, those with certain health conditions and pregnant women, to still come forward if they have not yet had their jab.

“There is still plenty of flu vaccine available to protect those who need it, what is running out is the time for protection before Christmas.

“If you’re eligible, this is your last chance to be protected in the run-up to Christmas, so make an appointment on the NHS today.”

Dr Watson added that it may take up to two weeks after vaccination for full protection from the vaccine to be achieved.

President of the Acute Medicine Association, Dr. Vicky Price said winter viruses put further strain on an “already crumbling system”.

He said patients face long waits in the emergency room because hospital staff are overloaded with patients.

But he accused NHS England and its government of using him as a “convenient scapegoat” for the “foreseeable collapse” in NHS capacity caused by workforce shortages.

“The situation in emergency departments has become so dire that what was once considered a critical incident is now seen as normal and routine. What is happening is not an isolated emergency but the culmination of systemic failure.”