The number of flu patients in hospital in England has hit a new winter high and has nearly doubled since the start of the year, figures indicate.
An average of 2,478 people were in hospital each day last week with flu, including 106 in critical care beds, according to NHS England.
The total is up 11% from 2,226 the previous week and up 89% from the beginning of January.
This year’s outbreak has yet to see patient figures reach a similar level.
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS England national medical director, said the continuing rise in flu cases showed that “winter pressures continue to hit the NHS hard”.
This is down 17% week-on-week from 688 beds, which was the highest so far this winter.
An average of 3,563 people who had tested positive for Covid-19 were in hospital last week, down 11% from 3,983 the previous week and 16% below this winter’s high of 4,245 in early January.
Responding to the figures, Dr Layla McCay, director of policy at the NHS Confederation, the membership organisation for the healthcare system, said: “Amid rising winter viruses, cold snaps and industrial action by junior doctors, the pressure on the NHS in January was unrelenting.
“Winter is not yet over, flu levels are at a new peak, staff absences are high, and more cold weather could be on the horizon.
“There appears to be no light at the end of the tunnel for staff working all hours to keep patients safe.”
Rates are highest among people aged 85 and over, at 37.4 per 100,000, and 75 to 84-year-olds, at 17.2.
Emergency department attendances for people with influenza-like-illnesses continued to increase among adults aged 65 and over.
The rate of Covid-19 hospital admissions has fallen week-on-week from 5.0 per 100,000 to 4.1 and remains below levels seen last winter.
“A free flu vaccine is still available from your GP or local pharmacy until the end of March, so there is still time to get vaccinated.
“You are eligible if you are over 65, a child aged two or three, have a specific long-term health condition, are pregnant, work in healthcare, or care for others.
“If you are showing symptoms of a respiratory illness, try to limit your contact with others, especially those more vulnerable, and consider wearing a mask if you do need to go out.”
