Number of flu patients in hospital beds across England rises by more than 50%

The number of flu patients in hospital beds across England is more than 50% higher than the same period in 2024, according to NHS data.

An average of 1,717 patients were in beds in England each day last week, including 69 in critical care.

This is an increase of 56% for the same week in 2024, where the total was 1,098, with 39 in critical care.

The number is also higher than 2023, when there were an average of 243 flu patients.

The figures have been published in the first of this year's NHS winter situation reports.

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