Overview
- UKHSA confirms a drifted A(H3N2) subclade K is now the dominant strain behind the unusually early rise in flu activity.
- Hospital admissions reached 3.9 per 100,000 last week, higher than the same point in recent years, with 394 new admissions reported.
- Test positivity among hospital patients increased to 11.9 percent from 10.9 percent, indicating continued growth in transmission.
- The heaviest burden falls on the oldest and youngest groups, with rates highest in those 85 and over and in children aged four and under.
- UKHSA issued a renewed vaccine call to arms and NHS England’s Sir Jim Mackey warned of potentially high mortality, with jabs available across GP surgeries, pharmacies and community clinics for all eligible groups.