Overview
- New NHS data show hospital flu cases peaked above 3,000 in the week before Christmas and have since steadied or fallen slightly.
- Hospitals remain extremely busy with around 95% of adult beds occupied and roughly 94,118 patients in hospital each day.
- UKHSA identifies a drifted A(H3N2) subclade K as the leading strain this season, contributing to an earlier and tougher flu wave.
- Almost 18.5 million flu vaccinations have been delivered, around 500,000 more than this time last year, with officials urging eligible people to come forward.
- Co-circulating viruses and cold weather add strain, with averages of 707 COVID patients and 285 with norovirus daily, UKHSA cold alerts in place, improved ambulance handovers, and faster NHS 111 responses as leaders caution the service is not out of danger.