Hospital admissions for flu in England have decreased for the first time this winter, according to data from the UK Health Security Agency. The admission rate fell to 7.8 per 100,000 people in the week ending December 21, 2023, down from 10.0 per 100,000 the previous week. Despite this decline, health officials are cautioning that the virus remains a threat and may “bounce back” in the new year.
The highest admission rates continue to affect those aged 85 and over, who reported 47.0 per 100,000 this past week, a decrease from 64.5 the week prior. Notably, the decline in flu admissions has been observed across all age groups, providing some positive news amidst ongoing health challenges.
Dr. Jamie Lopez-Bernal, a consultant epidemiologist at the UKHSA, described the latest figures as “encouraging.” He emphasized the need for vigilance, stating, “Everyone, especially those most vulnerable to these winter bugs, needs to take care to protect themselves or help not to spread these viruses to others.”
As families prepare to gather for the Christmas season, he underscored the unpredictability of flu. “Flu is always unpredictable, is still circulating and could bounce back even further in the new year as we have seen in past years,” he noted. Dr. Lopez-Bernal also urged anyone eligible who has not yet been vaccinated to seek protection before the winter season concludes.
In light of the current situation, Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS England’s national medical director, remarked on the impact of ongoing industrial action by junior doctors. She highlighted that the combination of strikes and seasonal viruses means “many hospitals will be on high alert in the days ahead.”
The previous winter saw flu admissions reach a peak of 16.2 per 100,000 in the week leading up to Christmas, significantly higher than the current figures. The following winter, 2022/23, witnessed an even greater peak at 18.1 per 100,000, marking the UK’s most severe flu outbreak in a decade.
Further data from the UKHSA indicates that an average of 17.2% of flu tests conducted in GP surgeries and hospitals returned positive for flu last week, down from 21.1% the week prior.
Given the ongoing risks, the UKHSA recommends that individuals experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms limit contact with others. They also advise wearing face coverings in indoor public spaces and maintaining good hygiene, such as regular handwashing and ensuring proper ventilation in indoor environments.
As the winter progresses, health officials continue to monitor the flu situation closely, emphasizing the importance of vaccination and personal responsibility in mitigating the spread of the virus.
