The number of hospital admissions in England rose by a third in a week, official figures revealed today after warnings that the NHS was being hit by flu.
Figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show that 965 coronavirus patients were admitted on Monday, up from 724 the week before.
And separate figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed today that 1.1 million people were infected with the virus every weekday to December 5.
It was the first time since November 1 that the 1 million mark was exceeded and was 16 percent higher than the 941,700 in the previous week. This means that 1 in 50 is infected.
Allerdale, Barrow-in-Furness, Carlisle, Copeland, Eden and South Lakeland in the North West had the highest number of cases, with 2.5 per cent of infections during the week.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) today showed that 1.1 million people were infected with the virus every weekday until December 5. recorded the week before
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows 965 coronavirus patients were admitted on Monday, up from 724 the week before
The number of patients with Covid in English hospitals rose to 6,720 on Wednesday, 22 per cent higher than the 5,501 beds a week earlier
But the number of coronavirus patients in intensive care is not nearly as high, with 150 on beds with mechanical ventilation on the same day. This was more than a quarter higher than the 119 a week earlier
The numbers are the latest sign that the flu is becoming more common in the population
As Covid cases and admissions soar, the UK is being hit by a separate flu outbreak, with winter virus hospital admissions outstripping coronavirus numbers.
Experts warn that more indoor mingling due to the cold weather is leading to more people catching bugs like flu and Covid.
Lockdown restrictions early in the pandemic also reduced people’s immunity to wintertime viruses, some believe.
Downing Street urged Britons to get the flu shot as hospital admissions were more than eight times higher than expected at this time of year.
The Prime Minister’s spokesman said: “We are seeing more flu circulating this year and as of this week hospitalizations for flu are higher than for Covid.”
The number of patients with Covid in English hospitals rose to 6,720 on Wednesday, 22 per cent more than 5,501 beds the previous week.
But the number of coronavirus patients in intensive care is not nearly as high, with 150 on beds with mechanical ventilation on the same day.
That was more than a quarter higher than the 119 a week earlier.
Data on Covid hospitalizations includes patients who had various medical conditions who happened to test positive for the virus.
But patients with the virus still have to be isolated in hospitals, adding pressure to struggling wards, which are especially cramped on strike days.
Meanwhile, today’s ONS data shows that Covid cases are now continuing to rise in all four UK countries.
The number of infections rose by 14 per cent to 100,700 in Scotland, 29 per cent to 55,900 in Wales and 5 per cent to 38,700 in Northern Ireland.
In England, Covid was most common in adults aged 25 to 34, with 2.9 per cent infected on any given day of the week.
They are followed by the 35- to 49-year-olds (2.5 percent), the 11- to 16-year-olds (2.4 percent) and the over 50-year-olds (1.9 percent).
Elementary school children had the lowest infection rate at 1.4 percent.
Regionally, the east of England and London had the most infections, with 2.3 per cent of people in both areas affected by Covid.
Meanwhile, today’s ONS data shows that Covid cases are now continuing to rise in all four UK countries
In England, Covid was most common in adults aged 25 to 34, with 2.9 per cent infected on any given day of the week. This was followed by the 35- to 49-year-olds (2.5 percent), the 11- to 16-year-olds (2.4 percent) and the over 50-year-olds (1.9 percent).
Regionally, the East of England and London had the most infections, with 2.3 per cent of people in both areas affected by Covid
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They were followed by the North West and South West (both 2.1 per cent) and the North East, South East and Yorkshire and Humber (1.9 per cent).
In comparison, 1.6 per cent of residents in the East Midlands and West Midlands were infected.
Michelle Bowen, head of distribution and strategy for health surveillance, said: “Across most parts of the UK we are seeing the number of infections picking up again, with England now at levels similar to those at the end of September this year.
“The trend in infections varies between English regions and age groups and we will continue to monitor the data closely over the course of the winter months.”
As Covid continues to grow, experts are increasingly concerned about rising flu cases.
For the first time since the pandemic began, people with flu are being hospitalized faster than with Covid, although both are on the rise.
According to NHS data, flu admissions were 6.8 per 100,000 people in the week ending December 11 – almost double from 3.9 per 100,000 the week before – while for Covid it was 6.6 per 100,000 in the same week.
There are indications that if the trend continues, the UK could face its worst flu outbreak since the winter of 2017/18, which killed 30,000 people.
It could not have come at a worse time for the NHS, which is struggling with a record backlog – more than seven million people were waiting for treatment in October this year – and is also grappling with an outbreak of Strep A.
The situation could worsen if nurses and paramedics strike amid protracted disputes with the government over wages and working conditions.
Around 100,000 nurses quit their jobs on Thursday, there was another strike on Tuesday 20 December and further action will take place in the new year if no agreement is reached.
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
