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Up to 8,000 people could need hospital care before flu wave reaches peak, health leaders warn
NHS England warns hospital admissions have risen 56% compared to last year as an evolved H3N2 flu strain drives an early season surge.
- Up to 8,000 people could be taken to hospital before the flu wave peaks, with H3N2 driving record hospital demand in England, NHS leaders warned.
- In recent years the population has had fewer exposures, and the season started earlier with the virus evolving rapidly, Dr Jamie Lopez Berbnal said, raising transmission risks.
- NHS England data show that last week 99,000 ambulance handovers and 11,338 more 111 calls added pressure on urgent care, amid rising flu cases.
- The NHS warned ballooning cases coinciding with BMA industrial action could stretch NHS staff close to breaking point in the coming weeks.
- UKHSA data shows the 2025-2026 vaccine is 70 to 75 per cent effective in children and 30 to 40 per cent in adults, and health officials urged eligible people to get vaccinated, with more than 17 million flu jabs administered so far.
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Sky News UK+2 Reposted by 2 other sources
Up to 8,000 people could need hospital care before flu wave reaches peak, health leaders warn
Flu season has come early and hit harder. A mutated, stronger strain of the virus is driving this wave and the peak is nowhere in sight.
·United Kingdom
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources22
Leaning Left2Leaning Right0Center15Last UpdatedBias Distribution88% Center
Bias Distribution
- 88% of the sources are Center
88% Center
12%
C 88%
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