Super flu leaves NHS facing ‘worst case scenario for this year’ after spike in cases
The NHS have warned they are facing a ‘worst-case scenario’ as ‘super flu’ cases surge to record highs.
The ‘unprecedented wave’ of the H3N2 virus left an average of 2,660 patients in hospital each day last week, new data reveals.
This is the highest ever for this time of year and up 55 per cent on last week.
NHS bosses fear there is ‘still no flu peak in sight’ and warned staff are ‘being pushed to their limit’.
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Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS national medical director, said: ‘With record demand for A&E and ambulances and an impending resident doctors strike, this unprecedented wave of super flu is leaving the NHS facing a worst-case scenario for this time of year – with staff being pushed to the limit to keep providing the best possible care for patients.
‘The numbers of patients in hospital with flu is extremely high for this time of year.’
Experts are warning that the flu is particularly nasty this season because of a mutated strain called the H3N2 ‘subclade K’.
This is a breaking news story and is being updated.
What are flu symptoms?
Flu symptoms come on suddenly and can include:
- A sudden high temperature
- An aching body
- Tiredness or exhaustion
- Dry cough
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Insomnia (difficulty sleeping)
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhoea or stomach pain
- Nausea (feeling sick)
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