NHS sees significant 111 demand as flu cases in hospitals continue to rise

NHS sees significant 111 demand as flu cases in hospitals continue to rise NHS staff dealt with a significant number of NHS 111 calls last week with over 700,000 calls in one week alone – an increase of over 60% compared to the previous week (from 440,047 to 706,129).

Excluding two weeks in the first month of the Covid pandemic (March 2020), this is the highest number of 111 calls ever recorded.

The NHS experienced more calls demand from parents concerned about rising Strep A infections, with the number of calls more than doubling compared to the equivalent week last year. NHS England

See also:

• Influenza and other respiratory viruses pilot study: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey Office for National Statistics
• National flu and COVID-19 surveillance reports UK Health Security Agency
• NHS is put on alert for 'worst winter flu outbreak in YEARS' The Daily Mail
• Flu hospitalisations in England soar as NHS braces for severe outbreak The Daily Telegraph
• Number of people in hospital with Covid in England rises 22% in a week The Guardian
• NHS creaking under strain of Strep A, flu and norovirus The Independent
• Norovirus symptoms to look out for amid warning over surging cases of vomiting bug The Independent
• Spike in flu hospitalisations piles pressure on an NHS already squeezed by strikes ITV News
• Hospital admissions for flu overtake those for COVID-19 for first time since pandemic began Sky News