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/8393651.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Swine flu cases 'on the way down' | Swine flu cases 'on the way down' |
(30 minutes later) | |
The number of new cases of swine flu has halved in England amid signs the second peak of the pandemic is petering out, latest figures show. | The number of new cases of swine flu has halved in England amid signs the second peak of the pandemic is petering out, latest figures show. |
There were 22,000 infections over the past seven days compared to 46,000 the week before, the government said. | There were 22,000 infections over the past seven days compared to 46,000 the week before, the government said. |
To put that in context, the levels of flu being reported now are comparable to what has been seen in past winters. | To put that in context, the levels of flu being reported now are comparable to what has been seen in past winters. |
But there are still 1,000 people in hospital in the UK and the death toll has reached 270. | But there are still 1,000 people in hospital in the UK and the death toll has reached 270. |
This is in line with government estimates that there may be up to 1,000 this winter. | This is in line with government estimates that there may be up to 1,000 this winter. |
The first peak of the pandemic was in July when there were over 100,000 cases a week, which was followed by a drop and then a second rise during the autumn. | The first peak of the pandemic was in July when there were over 100,000 cases a week, which was followed by a drop and then a second rise during the autumn. |
In Scotland, it is estimated that around 12.300 people have contracted swine flu in the past week, compared to just over 21,000 the week before. | |
In Wales and Northern Ireland the figure is much lower. | |
Progress | Progress |
Sir Liam Donaldson, the government's chief medical officer, said the figures represented a "striking reduction", but it was still "too early" to know whether the downward trend would continue. | Sir Liam Donaldson, the government's chief medical officer, said the figures represented a "striking reduction", but it was still "too early" to know whether the downward trend would continue. |
He pointed out there could be a surge in cases among older adults after Christmas - children have been the worst hit so far. | He pointed out there could be a surge in cases among older adults after Christmas - children have been the worst hit so far. |
The government also reported progress being made with the vaccination programme - although it remains to be seen whether the NHS can get the first wave completed in time for Christmas as expected. | The government also reported progress being made with the vaccination programme - although it remains to be seen whether the NHS can get the first wave completed in time for Christmas as expected. |
There have now been 1.6m doses given in England, a rise of 600,000 in the past week. | There have now been 1.6m doses given in England, a rise of 600,000 in the past week. |
However, there are more than 9m people in the priority group, which includes those with health problems and pregnant women. | However, there are more than 9m people in the priority group, which includes those with health problems and pregnant women. |
The first figures have also been given for healthcare workers. | The first figures have also been given for healthcare workers. |
The Department of Health said 275,000 had had the jab out of nearly 2m. The figure is double the number that were given the seasonal flu vaccine last year. | The Department of Health said 275,000 had had the jab out of nearly 2m. The figure is double the number that were given the seasonal flu vaccine last year. |