FLU is on the brink of epidemic levels in parts of England — with York worst for infections.
Numbers battling the virus have rocketed 78 per cent in a week, says the Royal College of GPs.
Clik here to view.
Separate stats reveal GP flu consultations in York are at 104.4 per 100,000 people – with a surge in cases of Japanese flu, and more people fighting the deadly Aussie strain.
A level of 108.9 per 100,000 signals an epidemic.
Other badly-hit areas include Herefordshire (99.7), Gateshead (88.2) and Hampshire (86.8).
The average across England is 34.9.
Clik here to view.
Clik here to view.
The winter toll is at least 93 in England and Scotland.
Victims include Bethany Walker, 18, who died of pneumonia in hospital in Inverness.
Meanwhile, experts have warned the crisis may get worse before it improves.
Prof Simon de Lusignan, of the Royal College of GPs, said: “We can certainly say that last week was when flu in England took off.
“However, given how unpredictable flu can be, it is impossible to say how this will progress. Rates may increase, level out or even decline.”
In the last week, the NHS has been swamped with patients suffering from “Japanese flu”, which is a particular risk to kids.
The strain of influenza B was responsible for half of the 4,000 people rushed to hospital with the virus.
The deadlier Aussie flu – a potent strain that caused havoc in Oz – was responsible for one in five admissions – around 842 in total.
Dr Adam Kucharski, at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, warned the UK could be in trouble if the virus mutates.
He said: “The main factor that influences the size of an outbreak is the level of immunity against the current flu strains.
“If this year’s viruses are sufficiently different to strains that circulated in previous years – and to the strains covered by the vaccine – it can result in a larger outbreak.”
MORE ON THE FLU CRISIS
Alan Weir, of St John Ambulance, urged Brits to get the flu jab.
“Flu in all its different strains has the potential to be deadly,” he said.
“Maintaining good personal hygiene is also of upmost importance, so wash your hands and use alcohol gels regularly throughout the day, especially if you are using public transport and before eating.”
NHS go to France
A FRENCH hospital will help Brits affected by cancelled NHS operations – despite the nation experiencing a flu epidemic.
Numbers of patients with the virus in France were 12 times higher than England last week.
But Calais Hospital has made a deal with South Kent Coast Clinical Commissioning Group, a local NHS body for the Folkestone and Dover area.
Treatment costs are covered by the NHS, but patients pay for travel.