Flu Outbreak: Immense Pressures Mount on UK Hospitals, Over 5,000 Residents Hospitalised
Israel Adeleke
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports as gathered that the United Kingdom (UK) is currently struggling to contain a severe flu outbreak which made over 5,000 patients hospitalised as of late December, putting hospitals in the state in an immense pressure.
OTN News further reports as gathered that a statement published by the National Health Service (NHS), disclosed that the surge in cases has put immense pressure on hospitals, with an average of 4,469 patients with flu hospitalised each day in the week ending December 29, 2024.
Furthermore, the statement explained that with the surge this represents a significant increase from the same period in 2023, with flu hospitalisations almost 3.5 times higher, pointing out that there were 4,102 patients in hospital with flu on Christmas Day.
‘There were 4,102 patients in hospital with flu on Christmas Day, rising sharply by almost a quarter to 5,074 by Sunday, 29 December. The new figures mean flu cases in hospital have quadrupled in a month (1,190 on 29 Nov)’, the statement added
OTN News observed that Nigerians residing in the country have expressed concerns on social media about the severity of the flu outbreak.
Also, the National Health Service (NHS), further added that there are warnings of continued pressure going into 2025, with amber cold health alerts for England issued by the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) as temperatures in the coming days are set to drop below freezing.
The National Health Service (NHS), pointed out that hospitals in the United Kingdom(UK) are still under pressure from a range of viruses, noting that norovirus cases averaged 723 hospitalisations in the week ending December 22, 2024, and 528 daily hospitalisations last week.
“Although this has come down, it remains 40 per cent higher than 378 the same week last year. The number of patients in critical care with flu also rose to 211 per day, while norovirus and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) cases remains higher than previous year’, the statement said.
Speaking on how to manage the current situation the National Health Service (NHS), emphasized that, it had implemented measures ahead of winter, including upgraded coordination centres and increased community-based care.
The statement explained that National Health Service (NHS), went ahead and beyond to discharge 15,094 patients on Christmas Eve, up more than 40 per cent on the 10,495 discharges on average for the week before.
The National Clinical Director for urgent and emergency care, National Health Service (NHS), Julian Redhead said that these latest figures show the pressure from flu was nowhere near letting up.
“On top of flu there is also continual pressure from COVID, while RSV and norovirus hospital cases are also higher than last year, with hospitals putting in place an extra 1,300 beds last week than the same time last year in expectation of this continued pressure from viruses and other demand’, Redhead said
The National Clinical Director, however, urged everyone to take precautions and use National Health Service (NHS), services wisely, as low temperatures can be dangerous for those who are vulnerable or have respiratory conditions.
OTN News recalls that the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) had earlier reported on its website that the flu is now circulating at higher levels, emphasizing that vaccination offers the best protection against serious illness and hospitalisation, particularly for those who are vulnerable or elderly.
“While the national booking system for flu vaccination closed on 19 December, eligible groups are reminded that they can still book their vaccination through their GP surgery or local pharmacy where available. Flu is currently at high levels and often circulates for many weeks through the course of winter. Vaccination will provide those eligible with the best protection’, it stated
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