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| Flu and norovirus cases hit new winter high in England | Flu and norovirus cases hit new winter high in England |
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| The number of people in hospital with flu and norovirus has hit a new high for this winter in England. | |
| Latest NHS figures show 2,226 beds were taken up by flu patients each day last week, up 70% in a month. | Latest NHS figures show 2,226 beds were taken up by flu patients each day last week, up 70% in a month. |
| But the number in hospital with Covid dipped slightly, and surveillance from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) showed rates were "broadly stable". | But the number in hospital with Covid dipped slightly, and surveillance from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) showed rates were "broadly stable". |
| The NHS said the data showed it was still "in the thick of a challenging winter". | The NHS said the data showed it was still "in the thick of a challenging winter". |
| "Last week was evidence of why the NHS needed to grow its core bed numbers," said Prof Julian Redhead, NHS England's clinical director for urgent and emergency care. | "Last week was evidence of why the NHS needed to grow its core bed numbers," said Prof Julian Redhead, NHS England's clinical director for urgent and emergency care. |
| The NHS said this month that it had met its target to increase the number of core hospital beds in England by 5,000 to 99,864. | The NHS said this month that it had met its target to increase the number of core hospital beds in England by 5,000 to 99,864. |
| But the latest data shows 96% of adult beds were still full last week, above the 85% level seen as safe by the World Health Organization. | But the latest data shows 96% of adult beds were still full last week, above the 85% level seen as safe by the World Health Organization. |
| NHS performance figures also showed that 34% of hospital patients in England arriving by ambulance in the week to 18 January had to wait more than 30 minutes to be handed over to A&E doctors. | NHS performance figures also showed that 34% of hospital patients in England arriving by ambulance in the week to 18 January had to wait more than 30 minutes to be handed over to A&E doctors. |
| That was up from 32% in the previous week, and the joint highest rate so far this winter. | That was up from 32% in the previous week, and the joint highest rate so far this winter. |
| It comes as a number of hospitals, including Shrewsbury, Winchester and Stoke have declared critical incidents recently because of "sustained pressure" on services, allowing them to request assistance from neighbouring NHS trusts. | It comes as a number of hospitals, including Shrewsbury, Winchester and Stoke have declared critical incidents recently because of "sustained pressure" on services, allowing them to request assistance from neighbouring NHS trusts. |
| Flu and norovirus surge | Flu and norovirus surge |
| The latest figures show the winter flu season appears to have come later this year with the number needing hospital treatment continuing to rise. | The latest figures show the winter flu season appears to have come later this year with the number needing hospital treatment continuing to rise. |
| Common symptoms in adults include a sudden high temperature, aches, a dry cough and a sore throat. Some people also feel sick and report diarrhoea or stomach pain. | Common symptoms in adults include a sudden high temperature, aches, a dry cough and a sore throat. Some people also feel sick and report diarrhoea or stomach pain. |
| The symptoms are similar in children, but they can also suffer from ear pain and appear less active. | The symptoms are similar in children, but they can also suffer from ear pain and appear less active. |
| An average of 2,226 patients were in hospital each day last week with flu, including 84 in critical care beds, according to NHS England. | An average of 2,226 patients were in hospital each day last week with flu, including 84 in critical care beds, according to NHS England. |
| The total is up 41% from 1,582 the previous week and up 70% from the start of the year. | The total is up 41% from 1,582 the previous week and up 70% from the start of the year. |
| The NHS is urging those eligible for a free flu jab this winter, including all those over 65 years old, to continue to come forward. | The NHS is urging those eligible for a free flu jab this winter, including all those over 65 years old, to continue to come forward. |
| Another 688 hospital beds in England were filled last week by people with norovirus-like symptoms such as diarrhoea and sickness. | Another 688 hospital beds in England were filled last week by people with norovirus-like symptoms such as diarrhoea and sickness. |
| The virus - known as the winter vomiting bug - spreads easily through contaminated surfaces or contact with an infected person. | The virus - known as the winter vomiting bug - spreads easily through contaminated surfaces or contact with an infected person. |
| Covid hospitalisations dip slightly | Covid hospitalisations dip slightly |
| The number of people in hospital with Covid in England declined slightly, with an average of 3,701 beds occupied over the past week in large NHS trusts. | The number of people in hospital with Covid in England declined slightly, with an average of 3,701 beds occupied over the past week in large NHS trusts. |
| Of that number, just over a quarter - or 1,013 - were being treated "primarily" for the virus, with the majority admitted to hospital for another health problem. | Of that number, just over a quarter - or 1,013 - were being treated "primarily" for the virus, with the majority admitted to hospital for another health problem. |
| A separate study from researchers at UKSHA suggested that the number of people testing positive for Covid in the community as a whole remained steady in the two weeks to 24 January. | A separate study from researchers at UKSHA suggested that the number of people testing positive for Covid in the community as a whole remained steady in the two weeks to 24 January. |
| Analysis of lateral flow tests indicated that about 2% - or one in every 50 people - would have tested positive for the virus in England and Scotland, compared to 2.3% in its previous report. | Analysis of lateral flow tests indicated that about 2% - or one in every 50 people - would have tested positive for the virus in England and Scotland, compared to 2.3% in its previous report. |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| England | England |
| NHS | NHS |
| Flu | Flu |
| Coronavirus | Coronavirus |