Emergency hospital admissions for flu increase by 82% as cases almost double

The number of flu cases in Scotland has almost doubled for the fourth consecutive week.

Public Health Scotland (PHS) figures have shown that the number of people attending their GP for flu-like illnesses increased “steeply” between December 9 and 15.

However, PHS say the levels are not unusual for this time in the season.

Emergency hospital admissions linked to the virus also rose sharply, increasing by 82% from 372 to 677.

All indicators of the virus reported a sharp rise compared to previous years, PHS said.

Lab-confirmed cases rose to 1,483 compared to 842 last week and 437 the week before.

RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) has also remained at its highest levels this season for three of the last four weeks. Reductions are beginning to be seen in hospital admissions among younger age groups.

It has been warned that over two-thirds of those at risk of flu and over three-quarters of those at risk of Covid have not been vaccinated.

Vaccine uptake is lower for all eligible groups compared to the same time last year.

Last week, data showed that cases of RSV reached “extraordinary” levels in Scotland.

Children aged between five and 14 years old were most affected by the virus.

Cases are also high in those aged one and under, one to four-year-olds and 15 to 44-year-olds.

Kimberley Marsh, interim Viral Pathogens Lead at Public Health Scotland, told STV News that the rise in rates was not unusual for the time of year as more people come inside and are circulating and moving around together.

“People who are very unwell will end up in hospital, and norovirus is circulating at higher levels so that’s definitely something that we see as a winter risk is that people will end up in hospital,” she said.

“Our previous season’s data would suggest that we’re in for higher increases in flu, which is why it’s important that there’s still time to get vaccinated if you’re eligible.

“Vaccination is one of the ways you can best prevent diseases and reduce pressure on the hospitals.

“It’s important to share that there is still time to get vaccinated before the holiday season and certainly we might see higher rates of flu coming.”