Patients are being warned that winter pressures on the NHS is likely to continue.
There has been a 9% increase in patients in hospital beds with the flu in the past week NHS figures show, which may be a result of Christmas and New Year gatherings.
Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting urged anyone who is eligible to get their flu jab to do so as soon as possible.
He said: “Today’s data shows we are not out of the woods yet. While the NHS is better prepared and performing more strongly than this time last year thanks to the tireless work of staff, the current cold snap is putting fresh pressure on frontline.”
Main symptoms of flu include a sudden high temperature, an aching body, feeling tired or exhausted, dry cough, sore throat and headache.
Norovirus and Covid figures have also increased with the number of patients up from the previous week.
NHS Medical director Professor Meghana Pandit said: “It’s clear that the worst is far from over for the NHS this winter, with hospitals again experiencing a rise in patients admitted with flu and other respiratory virus cases last week.
“Staff continue to work incredibly hard, and we are seeing teams across the country pulling out all the stops to ensure patients get the care they need.”
Featured image: CDC on Unsplash
