Winter pressure builds as no sign of ‘festive flu’ letting up

Flu cases in hospital have already surpassed last year’s peak as festive infections “flood” hospitals early this winter.

Latest weekly figures published today show one in 18 hospital beds are being taken up or closed by a festive bug, with 2,504 beds alone being taken up by flu patients – an increase of almost half on last week (1,861).

Cases of norovirus and RSV also remain high with 711 beds taken up by norovirus patients, almost a quarter more than last year, and 127 children in hospital with RSV each day last week – a quarter more children when compared to the same period last year (94 w/e 17 December 2023).

Winter viruses are expected to rise in the coming weeks as children finish school and families and friends congregate at Christmas parties and gatherings, which contributes to the increased spread of viruses.