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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, up from 17 on Monday, the government has said.
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 19,000 and 65,000. The government has also warned that deaths from swine flu this winter could be between 19,000 and 65,000 in the UK.
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.
Pressure
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 Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson outlines plans for a national flu service
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.
However, Sir Liam said it was important to keep the rising death toll in context.
During the 1999 to 2000 winter, seasonal flu deaths reached 19,000 and even during average winters there are normally anywhere between 6,000 to 8,000 deaths.
Professor Stephen Field, president of the Royal College of GPs, said: "The flu service has come at the right time. GPs in the hotspots were under a lot of pressure and this should help."
But shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley questioned whether the NHS would be able to cope.
He said there was little guidance for GPs and that the outbreak was going to "dramatically" test the capacity of hospitals.
"We have a hospital system which runs hot all the time, which is very difficult for us to add additional capacity.
"So some of the decisions about priorities, of cancelling elective operations, of deciding who to treat in hospital and who not to treat in hospital - they will be quite difficult decisions if some of the assumptions about the increase in the number of cases is as great as the government are predicting."