This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/health/8153051.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Swine flu calls to GPs 'jump 50%' | Swine flu calls to GPs 'jump 50%' |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| The number of people contacting their doctor over fears they have swine flu has jumped almost 50% in the last week to 40,000 a week, figures have shown. | The number of people contacting their doctor over fears they have swine flu has jumped almost 50% in the last week to 40,000 a week, figures have shown. |
| More than 73 people per 100,000 reported flu-like illness from 6-12 July, the Royal College of GPs said. | More than 73 people per 100,000 reported flu-like illness from 6-12 July, the Royal College of GPs said. |
| The figures for England and Wales also showed those aged five to 14 had the highest rate, at 159.57 per 100,000. | The figures for England and Wales also showed those aged five to 14 had the highest rate, at 159.57 per 100,000. |
| Meanwhile, it has emerged GPs have raised concerns about aspects of the government's handling of the pandemic. | Meanwhile, it has emerged GPs have raised concerns about aspects of the government's handling of the pandemic. |
| The figures from the Royal College of GPs showed the total rise in reported cases was up 46% on the week before. | The figures from the Royal College of GPs showed the total rise in reported cases was up 46% on the week before. |
| Youngsters and babies aged up to four were the second highest rate at 114.12 per 100,000. | Youngsters and babies aged up to four were the second highest rate at 114.12 per 100,000. |
| These were followed by people aged 15 to 44, those aged 45 to 64 and then the 65 and overs. | These were followed by people aged 15 to 44, those aged 45 to 64 and then the 65 and overs. |
| Priority list | Priority list |
| The weekly report from the college's monitoring system said: "National incidence of influenza-like illness increased for all regions and is now evident in all age groups." | The weekly report from the college's monitoring system said: "National incidence of influenza-like illness increased for all regions and is now evident in all age groups." |
| Dr Maureen Baker, Royal College of GPs: 'It would be good to look at the ways we could support GP services' | Dr Maureen Baker, Royal College of GPs: 'It would be good to look at the ways we could support GP services' |
| Central England has the highest number of cases at 94 per 100,000, but the North had witnessed "a marked increase" on previous weeks, up from 6.6 to 37.16 in just one week. | Central England has the highest number of cases at 94 per 100,000, but the North had witnessed "a marked increase" on previous weeks, up from 6.6 to 37.16 in just one week. |
| London had seen a small drop in cases but remained a major hotspot for the virus. | London had seen a small drop in cases but remained a major hotspot for the virus. |
| The figures, based on a sample of 84 GP surgeries, are used by the government to monitor the flu pandemic. | |
| Flu kills between 5,000 and 7,000 people in a typical winter - mainly the elderly - although the number can rise to more than 10,000 in bad years. | Flu kills between 5,000 and 7,000 people in a typical winter - mainly the elderly - although the number can rise to more than 10,000 in bad years. |
| Experts are concerned the H1N1 swine flu strain is affecting younger people. | Experts are concerned the H1N1 swine flu strain is affecting younger people. |
| The swine flu vaccine is expected to arrive in the UK at the end of August, the government has said, with a priority list for those most in need. | The swine flu vaccine is expected to arrive in the UK at the end of August, the government has said, with a priority list for those most in need. |
| Regulators have yet to approve a swine flu vaccine | Regulators have yet to approve a swine flu vaccine |
| They include people aged six months to 65 with a health condition like asthma, diabetes, heart, liver or kidney disease, or a suppressed immune system. | They include people aged six months to 65 with a health condition like asthma, diabetes, heart, liver or kidney disease, or a suppressed immune system. |
| Pregnant women in their second or third trimester are also on the list, as are frontline health workers and children aged three to 16. | Pregnant women in their second or third trimester are also on the list, as are frontline health workers and children aged three to 16. |
| The UK is due to receive around 60 million doses of the vaccine - enough to cover half the population - by the end of December. The rest will follow next year. | The UK is due to receive around 60 million doses of the vaccine - enough to cover half the population - by the end of December. The rest will follow next year. |
| However, the jab has still to be approved by various regulators, which could delay its distribution. | However, the jab has still to be approved by various regulators, which could delay its distribution. |
| Meanwhile, in evidence to a Lords committee, the Royal College of GPs said concerns had been raised about a lack of information and out-of-hours care in England. | |
| Complaints include poor communication from primary care trusts and different advice on obtaining Tamiflu. | Complaints include poor communication from primary care trusts and different advice on obtaining Tamiflu. |
| The Department of Health says it listens to feedback and works with the Royal College to improve its response. | The Department of Health says it listens to feedback and works with the Royal College to improve its response. |
| The number of UK deaths linked to the virus stands at 17. | The number of UK deaths linked to the virus stands at 17. |