Overview
- An average of 1,717 patients occupied flu beds each day in England last week, the highest on record for this point in winter, with 69 in critical care and no clear peak yet, according to NHS and UKHSA data.
- UKHSA reports test positivity rising to 17.1% and hospital admissions up to 7.79 per 100,000 in the latest week, underscoring rapid growth in transmission and severe illness.
- Sir Jim Mackey warns flu bed occupancy could reach 5,000–8,000 next week, potentially exceeding the previous high of about 5,400.
- Regional pressure is intensifying, with London averaging 259 flu inpatients daily—around triple last year—and the North West reporting 295 hospitalised, as A&Es in areas such as Greater Manchester and Essex run very busy.
- UKHSA advises masks when unwell and other respiratory precautions, several trusts have reinstated targeted mask and visiting rules, vaccination uptake in some at‑risk groups remains low, and a resident doctors’ strike on December 17–22 could further strain services.