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Over 300 people in intensive care with flu | Over 300 people in intensive care with flu |
(40 minutes later) | |
There's been a dramatic rise in the numbers of people admitted to intensive care with flu, officials say. | There's been a dramatic rise in the numbers of people admitted to intensive care with flu, officials say. |
Government figures show that 302 beds are now occupied by flu patients. Last week 182 beds were being used. | Government figures show that 302 beds are now occupied by flu patients. Last week 182 beds were being used. |
It is not known how many of those patients have H1N1 "swine flu". | It is not known how many of those patients have H1N1 "swine flu". |
Experts urge everyone in at-risk groups, particularly pregnant women, to get vaccinated to protect them against flu viruses. The jab protects against both seasonal flu and swine flu. | Experts urge everyone in at-risk groups, particularly pregnant women, to get vaccinated to protect them against flu viruses. The jab protects against both seasonal flu and swine flu. |
New figures on the number of deaths from seasonal flu and swine flu will be released by the Health Protection Agency on Thursday. | New figures on the number of deaths from seasonal flu and swine flu will be released by the Health Protection Agency on Thursday. |
Professor David Salisbury, the government's director of immunisations urged all at-risk groups to get immunised. | Professor David Salisbury, the government's director of immunisations urged all at-risk groups to get immunised. |
He said pregnant women should "seek every means to get vaccinated as soon as possible". | He said pregnant women should "seek every means to get vaccinated as soon as possible". |
For most people, swine flu is a mild illness. | For most people, swine flu is a mild illness. |
However, some groups of people are more at risk of serious illness if they catch flu. | However, some groups of people are more at risk of serious illness if they catch flu. |
Health Secretary Andrew Lansley briefed Cabinet colleagues this morning on the flu situation. He told them the NHS had plenty of capacity to deal with the recent upsurge in cases. | Health Secretary Andrew Lansley briefed Cabinet colleagues this morning on the flu situation. He told them the NHS had plenty of capacity to deal with the recent upsurge in cases. |
Flu patients are now using 9% of intensive care beds. | Flu patients are now using 9% of intensive care beds. |
At the peak of last year's epidemic, 180 people were in critical care with confirmed or suspected flu, including swine flu. | |
Shadow Health Secretary Jon Healy said the government had made the "wrong judgement" in not having a autumn advertising campaign around vaccination. He said it had "left too many people without the flu protection they should have". | Shadow Health Secretary Jon Healy said the government had made the "wrong judgement" in not having a autumn advertising campaign around vaccination. He said it had "left too many people without the flu protection they should have". |
Vaccination rates are 2.5% lower than last year. | Vaccination rates are 2.5% lower than last year. |