Flu batters the NHS: 40% jump in hospital cases in a week trends now
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The number of flu patients in England's hospitals is now four times higher than the peak last winter.
NHS data released today shows 539 people with influenza were taking up beds on November 27.
For comparison, just 138 beds were occupied by flu-infected patients in 2021/22's peak.
Restrictions brought in to control the spread of Covid squashed flu rates, leaving Britons with low levels of immunity against the virus.
NHS data shows 539 people with influenza were taking up beds on November 27. The figure is 3.9-times higher than the peak logged across the entire season last winter, when a maximum of 138 flu patients were in hospital. This is despite winter pressures just starting to kick-off and cases expected to rise further
This is despite winter pressures just starting to kick off and cases expected to rise further in the coming weeks.
Warnings of a double-whammy of Covid and flu have been rife over the past few years.
Both are seasonal viruses, which pick up pace as people spend more time socialising indoors, where it is easier for viruses to spread.
But fears of a so-called twindemic have so far been
