Twindemic underway as flu cases seven times higher than last month

MEDICS have warned that a twindemic is underway across England as cases of flu and Covid continue to increase.

New data from the NHS shows that thousands of beds are occupied by flu patients.

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In the last week, there were 3,746 patients a day in hospital with the flu, figures show.

That’s up from 530 a month ago, the week ending November 27.

Of those in hospital last week, 267 were occupying critical care beds.

Data from the NHS also shows that in the week up to December 17, Covid cases have also climbed by over 28 per cent.

Infections have been on the rise of the last four weeks, the most recent data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) states.

Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director, said: “Sadly, these latest flu numbers show our fears of a ‘twindemic’ have been realised, with cases up seven fold in just a month and the continued impact of Covid hitting staff hard, with related absences up almost 50 per cent on the end of November.

“As well as flu, the NHS continues to be under significant pressure, with high bed occupancy, more than 12,000 beds taken up by patients medically fit for discharge, and demand for the 111 service remaining high, so please do make the most of 111 online, and only call 999 or visit A&E in an emergency.

“It is clear this is no time to be complacent and the risk of serious illness is very real, so with nearly 350,000 available vaccination appointments next week it is important that everyone eligible comes forward and gets their Covid and flu jabs at the earliest opportunity.”