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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| UK swine flu deaths jump to 29 | UK swine flu deaths jump to 29 |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Twenty-nine people have now died in the UK after contracting swine flu, the government has announced. | Twenty-nine people have now died in the UK after contracting swine flu, the government has announced. |
| It comes as the number of cases has hit 55,000 and the NHS has seen a surge in calls and consultations. | It comes as the number of cases has hit 55,000 and the NHS has seen a surge in calls and consultations. |
| Ministers in England have responded by promising the National Flu Service will go live at the end of next week to relieve pressure on hospitals and GPs. | Ministers in England have responded by promising the National Flu Service will go live at the end of next week to relieve pressure on hospitals and GPs. |
| The government has also warned that deaths from swine flu this winter could be between 18,000 and 65,000. | |
| Experts said it was impossible to predict exactly, but with a third of the population perhaps becoming infected in the coming months the death toll could rise to such numbers. | Experts said it was impossible to predict exactly, but with a third of the population perhaps becoming infected in the coming months the death toll could rise to such numbers. |
| The flu service will allow people to get access to anti-flu drugs by calling in or using the internet. | The flu service will allow people to get access to anti-flu drugs by calling in or using the internet. |
| It will not be available in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as officials believe the demands being placed on the health service are not as great there. | It will not be available in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as officials believe the demands being placed on the health service are not as great there. |
| Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson outlines plans for a national flu service | |
| In England, the rate of calls to NHS Direct is four times higher than would be expected for the winter, while the number of people in hospital has doubled to 652. Some 53 of these are in a critical condition. | In England, the rate of calls to NHS Direct is four times higher than would be expected for the winter, while the number of people in hospital has doubled to 652. Some 53 of these are in a critical condition. |
| In the worst hit areas, hospitals have reported having wards full of children with swine flu, while GP practices have said they are seeing between 50 and 60 flu cases a day. | In the worst hit areas, hospitals have reported having wards full of children with swine flu, while GP practices have said they are seeing between 50 and 60 flu cases a day. |
| Every region of England has seen a rise in demand for services during the past seven days with only Yorkshire and the Humber not now reporting "exceptional" levels. | Every region of England has seen a rise in demand for services during the past seven days with only Yorkshire and the Humber not now reporting "exceptional" levels. |
| Pressure | Pressure |
| Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson said: "The flu service will mean the pressure will get taken off front-line staff to allow them to concentrate on the most serious cases." | Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson said: "The flu service will mean the pressure will get taken off front-line staff to allow them to concentrate on the most serious cases." |
| But he said despite the move, there were still no signs the virus was mutating and becoming more severe. | But he said despite the move, there were still no signs the virus was mutating and becoming more severe. |
| Of the 29 deaths, 26 have been in England and three in Scotland. | Of the 29 deaths, 26 have been in England and three in Scotland. |
| The most recent victims include a Swindon patient and a female tourist who died in Scotland. | The most recent victims include a Swindon patient and a female tourist who died in Scotland. |
| The woman - who suffered underlying health problems - died after being admitted to hospital in Inverness three weeks ago. | The woman - who suffered underlying health problems - died after being admitted to hospital in Inverness three weeks ago. |