'Tidal wave' of flu hits hospitals in England as admissions surge by 70 per cent

12 December 2024, 10:43

NHS bosses have warned of a 'tidal wave' of flu infections
NHS bosses have warned of a 'tidal wave' of flu infections. Picture: Alamy

By Asher McShane

A "tidal wave" of flu infections has led to a 70% increase in hospital cases in England in just seven days.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

An average of 1,861 flu patients were in hospitals in England each day last week, including 66 in critical care beds, NHS figures show.

This is up from 1,099 patients the previous week when 39 were in critical care.

It is also more than four times the figure at this point last year.

NHS England said cases of norovirus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are also on the rise.

An average of 837 hospital beds in England were filled each day last week by patients with diarrhoea and vomiting or norovirus-like symptoms, up from 756 the previous week.

Read more: Sara Sharif’s father was accused of abuse before she was born and was ordered not to use 'physical chastisement'

Read more: Baby girl airlifted to hospital after attack by 'XL Bully type' dog

There were an average of 152 children with RSV in hospital wards in England last week, up from 142 the previous week and higher than at this point in 2023 (107).

The number of hospital beds occupied each day by patients who had tested positive for Covid-19 averaged 1,343, down slightly week-on-week from 1,390.

Health bosses have warned hospitals are bracing for a so-called "quad-demic" of disease over the winter months, with an increase in cases of flu, norovirus and RSV, coupled with expected increases in Covid-19.

Professor Sir Stephen Powis, national medical director for NHS England, said: "The tidal wave of flu cases and other seasonal viruses hitting hospitals is really concerning for patients and for the NHS - the figures are adding to our 'quad-demic' worries.

"While the NHS has plans in place to manage additional demand over the busy winter period, with one week left to book your vaccine, I cannot stress enough the importance of getting booked in to protect yourself against serious illness and to avoid 'festive flu'."

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting also urged people eligible for free vaccinations on the NHS to take them "before it's too late".

He said: "Since the general election, we have been ramping up to delivering the extra two million appointments a year, ending the strikes and investing more in the health service.

"As a result, the NHS today is delivering a record number of treatments and waiting lists have begun to fall. There's a long way to go, but through our plan for change we will get patients seen on time again.

"With A&Es facing record demand, we are continuing to encourage people to protect themselves, their family, and the NHS by getting vaccinated before it's too late."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

File photo of a Ukrainian soldier, with forces confirmed to be in a second Russian border region

'War must return where it came from': Ukraine forces 'active in second Russian border region', Zelenskyy confirms

Dismembered body of British scientist found in suitcase after vanishing in Columbia

Dismembered body of British scientist found in suitcase after vanishing in Colombia

Exclusive
Wes Streeting hopes booking a GP appointment will be easier by the next election

Wes Streeting unable to say when '8am scramble' for GP appointments will end despite earlier promises

Irmgard Furchner

Nazi 'Secretary of Evil' convicted for murders of 10,500 Holocaust victims dies aged 99

Rugby players tackling during game

Lowering height of rugby tackles linked to 45 per cent drop in head collisions, study finds

a biotech start-up has announced the animals had been brought back to life

Dire wolf extinct for 12,500 years 'brought back to life', scientists claim

Jack Grealish

Jack Grealish 'slapped in the face by Manchester United fan' in derby, as man charged with assault

A police cordon in Elm Street, South Moor, Stanley, County Durham, where a man was fatally shot.

Tributes paid to 'thoroughly decent’ dad, 60, shot dead through window in broad daylight in County Durham

Lady Victoria Hervey claims Prince Andrew accuser Virginia Giuffre's credibility 'destroyed' following hospital release

Lady Victoria Hervey claims Prince Andrew accuser Virginia Giuffre's credibility 'destroyed' following hospital release

China vows to 'fight to the end' as Trump threatens additional 50 per cent tariffs amid global market turmoil

China vows to 'fight to the end' as Trump escalates war with further 50 per cent tariffs amid global market turmoil

Couple holding hands

Campaigners 'deeply moved' by baby loss certificate scheme - as more than 100,000 issued since service started

Pregnancy

Diabetes during pregnancy linked to increased risk of disorders like autism and ADHD in children, study suggests

Just 3% of England’s local road network received any form of maintenance in the 2023/24 financial year, new analysis shows.

Only 3% of local road network received maintenance in the last year

Yuan Yang and Abtisam Mohamed were rejected from entering Israel

Israel's decision to bar two MPs from entering country 'smacks of racism', claims MP

c

Baby girl makes history as first child in UK to be born from womb transplant

US-ISRAEL-POLITICS-DIPLOMACY-TRUMP-NETANYAHU

Trump says US will hold direct talks with Iran as he insists Tehran cannot get nuclear weapons