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UK Hospitals Brace for Peak Flu Cases, Urge Precautions
11 Dec
Summary
- Hospitals are reinstating mask rules and tighter visiting policies due to rising cases.
- NHS England reports flu patients filling over three hospital trusts nationally.
- Projections indicate 5,000-8,000 hospital cases by mid-December, nearing previous records.
Hospitals in the UK are implementing stricter measures, including mask mandates and revised visiting guidelines, as respiratory illnesses surge. Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford has reinstated mask rules, while East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust has introduced voluntary mask-wearing in high-risk areas like emergency departments and assessment units. These steps aim to mitigate the spread of flu and other respiratory conditions.
The health service is grappling with a substantial rise in flu patients, with NHS England reporting numbers equivalent to more than three hospital trusts nationally. Health officials note that the current patient total has increased sharply and shows no immediate sign of peaking. The situation is compounded by the ongoing threat of other respiratory viruses.
Looking ahead, projections indicate a potentially severe winter for the NHS, with estimates suggesting between 5,000 and 8,000 hospital cases by the second week of December. This figure is notably close to the highest recorded number of flu patients in hospitals, highlighting the critical nature of current public health efforts and the need for continued vigilance.
