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Winter flu outbreak is peaking, say health experts | Winter flu outbreak is peaking, say health experts |
(4 days later) | |
The winter flu outbreak appears to be peaking, health officials say. | The winter flu outbreak appears to be peaking, health officials say. |
Officials are hopeful the worst of the season may soon be over after a fall in the numbers being admitted to hospital. | Officials are hopeful the worst of the season may soon be over after a fall in the numbers being admitted to hospital. |
While the numbers still remain "very high" - around 4,000 in England last week - the rate of hospitalisation was lower than the week before. | |
The numbers coming to see their GP have fallen in Scotland and Northern Ireland, although small rises have been seen in England and Wales. | The numbers coming to see their GP have fallen in Scotland and Northern Ireland, although small rises have been seen in England and Wales. |
Public Health England's Richard Pebody said the fact flu rates had stabilised was a good sign and suggested "flu activity is starting to peak". | Public Health England's Richard Pebody said the fact flu rates had stabilised was a good sign and suggested "flu activity is starting to peak". |
NHS officials also welcomed the news, but warned the health service was still in the middle of a very difficult winter. | NHS officials also welcomed the news, but warned the health service was still in the middle of a very difficult winter. |
Prof Helen Stokes-Lampard, of the Royal College of GPs, said: "There are still huge numbers of patients being seen in general practice with flu and other common winter conditions - and GPs and our teams are certainly feeling the pressure." | Prof Helen Stokes-Lampard, of the Royal College of GPs, said: "There are still huge numbers of patients being seen in general practice with flu and other common winter conditions - and GPs and our teams are certainly feeling the pressure." |
And Phillippa Hentsch of NHS Providers, which represents hospital bosses, said the system was working "beyond its limits" in some places, with hospitals overcrowded and "struggling to cope with demand". | And Phillippa Hentsch of NHS Providers, which represents hospital bosses, said the system was working "beyond its limits" in some places, with hospitals overcrowded and "struggling to cope with demand". |
The weekly reports released on Thursday also showed high rates of the vomiting bug norovirus. | The weekly reports released on Thursday also showed high rates of the vomiting bug norovirus. |