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Seasonal flu update

NHS

3 February 2011

Updated figures on this winter’s flu situation released today show that the number of reported cases of people with ‘flu-like symptoms continues to fall.
The figures for the past week show that:there have been 24.1 GP consultations per 100,000 population in England. This compares with 40.7 last week and 124 five weeks ago;
160 critical care beds are occupied with people with ‘flu-like symptoms – around 4.6 per cent of capacity. This compares with 247 last week and 850 at its peak; and
72.5 per cent of over 65s and 49.8 per cent of under 65s in at risk groups have been vaccinated (72 and 49 per cent last week).The HPA has been notified of a total of 395 deaths in the UK since the flu season began in October last year. The vast majority of the new deaths reported today (57) did not occur in the past week - a substantial number will have occurred over the past six weeks.Professor Dame Sally Davies, Interim Chief Medical Officer said:"It's been a tough winter and I thank everyone working in the NHS for their hard work and dedication so far.  The NHS has been under pressure but, thanks to the detailed planning that was put in place in advance, it has coped fantastically well."It is reassuring to see that cases have continued to decline again this week. But winter isn't over yet and we still all need to be on our guard against flu. That means catching our germs in a tissue, throwing it in a bin and washing our hands regularly, catch it, bin it, kill it."It’s still not too late for people in an at risk group to be vaccinated."Professor John Watson, head of the respiratory diseases department at the HPA, said:"Our latest flu report shows that levels of flu activity are now below baseline levels in England, Wales and Scotland.  “However our surveillance will continue and we will still be monitoring what is happening to both the levels of consultations for flu-like illness and testing viruses until the end of the season in May.“Although the peak of flu activity has passed, there will still be some flu viruses circulating and it is important that people remember to practice good cough and hand hygiene such as covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough and sneeze, and then disposing of these as soon as possible to stop it spreading in the community.”Further InformationThe full Health protection Agency update can be found at the link below
At its most busy so far this winter, 850 critical care beds were occupied by patients with ‘flu-like symptoms. This was around 23 per cent of critical care capacity. Because of the good preparations the NHS had put in place for this winter, local NHS organisations were able to increase critical care beds where necessary.
The number of 'Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation' (ECMO) beds (specialist treatment which helps patients with acute reversible respiratory failure by providing oxygen directly into their bloodstreams) for adults is at 25, one of the highest numbers per population in the world.
For further information or for interview requests, please contact the Department of Health newsdesk on 020 7210 5221.Health Protection Agency: Seasonal flu report 3 February 2011 (opens new window)