Flu cases in hospitals across County Durham and Darlington have risen by more than 50 per cent in a week.
This is in line with the national figure, which is at record levels for this time of year.
The number of flu patients in hospitals across the country were released by NHS England today (December 11). The figures for County Durham and Darlington are the highest across the North East.
The latest figures, which show the average number of flu patients per day in the week ending December 7, stood at 50. This is a rise from 32 in the previous week ending November 30.
The number of people in hospital in England with flu remains at a record level for this time of year and has jumped by 55 per cent in a week, NHS figures show.
Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, said: “There is a tidal wave of flu tearing through our hospitals.”
Figures showed an average of 2,660 flu patients were in hospital each day last week, up from 1,717 the previous week.
At this point last year, the number stood at 1,861 patients, while in 2023 it was just 402.
Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS national medical director, warned the “unprecedented wave of super flu is leaving the NHS facing a worst-case scenario for this time of year,” and added that there was no peak in sight.
Bosses at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT) have outlined their policy on mask wearing.
A CDDFT spokesperson said: “The Trust is currently recommending that all staff, patients and visitors wear masks in our emergency departments, urgent treatment centres, same day emergency care areas and frailty assessment areas.
"This is to help reduce the spread of flu and other winter illnesses and to protect both patients and our teams.
“We will continue to closely review this approach and make changes if needed.
“We also encourage everyone who is eligible, including our NHS colleagues, to have their flu vaccination, which remains one of the best ways to protect yourself and others.”
Weekly flu numbers in England peaked at 5,408 patients last winter and reached 5,441 over the winter of 2022/23, the highest level since the pandemic.
Some hospitals across the country, including Teesside have asked staff, patients and visitors to wear face masks to cut the spread of flu, while others have gone in and out of critical incident status due to the high number of people attending A&E.
Emma Nunez, chief nursing officer for University Hospitals Tees, said: “In order to protect those most vulnerable in our hospitals, we have made the decision to introduce face masks in some of our clinical areas. We will be reviewing this decision regularly as we continue to monitor flu cases across our region.
“In the meantime, if asked by a member of staff, please wear a face mask to protect yourself and those around you. Please also make use of the handwashing and hand sanitiser facilities provided upon entry to our wards.
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“If you haven’t already been vaccinated against flu, don’t delay any further. The flu jab is safe, effective and is the best protection against becoming seriously ill this winter.”
Sarah Woolnough, chief executive of the King’s Fund, said: “The NHS is under unprecedented pressure due to an unrelenting flu wave, whilst not knowing if it will have to face another round of industrial action that will prove a challenge for staff and NHS leaders to manage.
“It is the ‘worst case scenario’ and will be worrying to staff and patients alike.”
Dr Vicky Price, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said the "flu-nami” was hitting the NHS but this was “a sadly familiar picture of a system under relentless strain”.
She added: “This week we have seen clinicians reviewing patients in waiting rooms due to lack of space, and cupboards used as temporary clinical areas – a new low for patient care standards.”
Number of flu patients in hospital across the North East
- Newcastle upon Tyne - 36, a rise from 23.
- North Tees and Hartlepool - 38, rise from 26.
- Northumbria - 46, rise from 38.
- South Tees - 24, rise from 17.
- South Tyneside and Sunderland - 35, rise from 20.
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