Experts are urging people to have the vaccine to protect them against flu viruses There has been a 50% rise in the number of patients in intensive care with flu in just three days, figures show.
Department of Health data from Thursday showed that 460 beds in England were occupied by flu patients, compared to 302 on Monday.
It comes after the number of patients visiting their GP with the illness doubled in the past week. Younger age groups are being particularly hard hit.
Despite the rise, the government said the levels of flu are to be expected.
So far 27 people have died with flu this winter. That compares to nearly 500 who died during last year’s pandemic.
And while there has been a sharp rise in the numbers in intensive care, the 460 figure still represents less than 14% of the total number of intensive care beds available.
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