LONDON, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Hospitals across England are on "high alert" as hospital flu admissions have reached their highest level for this time of year, the National Health Service (NHS) said on Thursday.
According to NHS England, a total of 3,140 patients were in hospital with flu by the end of last week, up 18 percent on the previous week and the highest ever for this point in the winter season. The number of flu patients rose by 39 percent in the East of England and 40 percent in the South West.
Hospitals are facing sustained pressure as respiratory viruses continue to circulate, pushing the average daily bed occupancy to 94.2 percent last week, data showed.
There are signs that the rise in flu admissions is beginning to slow, particularly in the North West where hospital cases fell by 4 percent over the week. NHS officials said the slowdown is thought to reflect higher vaccination rates and greater public caution in protecting older and vulnerable people.
The UK Health Security Agency said Thursday in its latest weekly bulletin that national flu activity has begun to steady after several weeks of sharp increases following an early start to the season. While the positivity rate has started to decline, the agency warned it is still too early to determine whether flu activity has peaked.
NHS data also showed that staff absences rose by more than 1,100 in a week, and by 4,500, or 9 percent, compared with the same week two years ago.
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said the strike action launched by the British Medical Association on Thursday had "undoubtedly added to the pressure" facing hospitals this winter. Enditem
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