Overview
- An average of 1,717 patients were in hospital with flu each day last week in England, including 69 in critical care, up 56% on the same week last year, NHS data show.
- UKHSA reports flu test positivity at 17.1% for Nov 24–30, with hospital admissions rising from 4.78 to 7.79 per 100,000 and no clear peak yet.
- NHS leaders say flu bed occupancy could climb to 5,000–8,000 next week, raising concern about capacity in an already early-starting season.
- A drifted A(H3N2) subclade (K) now dominates cases, fueling rapid spread; officials stress vaccines still cut the risk of severe illness and urge immediate uptake, which remains low in some eligible groups.
- UKHSA advises people who are unwell to wear masks, several hospitals have reinstated face coverings in high‑risk areas, London’s flu beds have tripled year on year, the North West averaged 295 inpatients last week, and a resident‑doctor strike is scheduled for Dec 17–22.