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number of Flu cases rising among children admitted to intensive care beds Hospital admissions have reached a record for this time of year.
Health officials have said hospitals are “not out of the woods yet” as data shows record numbers of flu patients for this time of year, although the growth rate has slowed.
The figures came as resident doctors in England entered a second day of strike in a bitter dispute with the government over jobs and pay.
The data represents an average of 316 children Critical care beds were full every day last week, up slightly from 311 the previous week Up from 293 at the end of November.
Meanwhile, an average of 3,140 flu patients were in hospital each day last week, an 18 percent increase from 2,660 the week before.
Last year at this time the number was 2,629 patients, whereas in 2023 it was only 648.
Weekly flu numbers in England reached 5,408 patients last winter and are set to reach 5,441 in the winter of 2022-23, the highest level since the pandemic.
NHS England said there are “welcome signs” that the rise in flu cases in hospitals is slowing in some parts of the country, pointing to a decline in flu cases in hospitals in the North West over the past week.
The number of flu patients in hospitals in North West England has fallen week-on-week, but has increased in all other regions, the data shows.
An average of 386 flu patients were in hospital in the North West last week, down 4 per cent from 403 the previous week.
The largest percentage increases were in South West England (up 40 per cent from 139 to 195) and East England (up 39 per cent from 207 to 287).
In southeast England, flu patients increased by 33 percent (from 202 to 269); In northeast England and Yorkshire, they were up 21 percent (from 673 to 813); In London, they rose 18 percent (from 408 to 484); And in the Midlands, they increased by 13 per cent (from 627 to 706).
There were around 128 flu patients in critical care beds across England last week, up from 106 the week before and slightly higher than the number at this time last year (125).
Separately, an average of 427 hospital beds were filled each day last week with patients with diarrhea and vomiting or norovirus-like symptoms, up 21 percent from 354 the previous week.
The number of sick staff is also rising, with about 54,335 members absent each day due to illness or self-isolation, up from 52,234 the week before.
Professor Meghna Pandit, national medical director of NHS England, said: “While some parts of the country may be breathing a sigh of relief that flu cases are not rising as rapidly as feared, we are still not out of the woods.
“Along with the impact of strikes, a stream of winter viruses means many hospitals will be on high alert in the coming days.
“But it is important that people continue to turn to NHS care as normal.”
Officials have also reminded people to get a flu vaccine to protect themselves in the new year.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: “Flu continues to put significant pressure on the NHS, with record numbers of patients in hospital, and frontline services under immense pressure.
“The BMA’s regrettable decision to go ahead with strike action at this critical moment is adding to the pressure, but the NHS team have responded brilliantly to keep the show going.
“Our full focus remains on keeping patients safe during this peak period for strikes and the NHS.”