Critical NHS incidents declared as ‘superflu outbreak’ triggers Covid-esque ‘lockdowns’ – shutting wards and schools
HOSPITALS up and down the country have declared ‘critical incidents’ as a wave of mutant ‘super flu’ tears through the UK.
Schools have been forced to bring back Covid-style “firebreak lockdowns” shutting their doors as hundreds fall sick, as the flu bug collides with RSV and norovirus with experts warning this could be the ‘worst outbreak in a decade‘.
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University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust said “extreme” pressures were being experienced across its hospitals, including at Queen ElizabethCredit: SWNS
The measures have been introduced as a mutant flu strain – known as H3N2 – is driving rocketing illness rates and filling hospital beds.
Last week, there was an average of 1,700 patients in hospital with flu – more than 50 per cent higher than the same time last year.
This year’s strain, also now known as ‘subclade K’ or ‘super flu’, has mutated, which means it might be better at evading vaccines.
There has also not been an H3 outbreak since 2022, which means there is little immunity among the public.
It comes as the NHS braces itself for junior doctor strikes, due to begin on December 15.
This will force hospitals to scramble for cover at the height of the flu outbreak, amid urgent NHS warnings for people to get vaccinated.
At least two NHS Trusts have declared ‘critical incidents’, a term that’s used by hospitals when they can no longer guarantee that patient care can be delivered safely.
Such incidents are typically declared in response to overwhelming demand or infrastructure failure.
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, which is responsible for Queen Elizabeth, Heathlands and Good Hope Hospitals along with nearby Solihull Hospital, has issued the alert due to “extreme pressures”.
The Trust posted on all its hospitals’ social media sites saying its A&E departments are facing huge demand.
A Trust spokesperson said: “If you do not have an emergency or life-threatening condition you may be redirected to another healthcare service.”
Meanwhile, University Hospitals of North Midlands (UHNM) trust is urging people to only use A&E in a serious or life-threatening emergency.
The announcement covers both Royal Stoke University Hospital and County Hospital, Stafford.
Chief operating officer Katy Thorp said the difficult decision to declare a critical incident would allow them to take extra measures to keep services safe for hospital patients and those waiting for an ambulance.
“As anticipated, the pressure is greatest in our emergency departments, which are facing continued challenges as patients cannot be admitted to bed promptly,” said Ms Thorp.
A&E units will continue to see the most ill patients first, said chief medical officer Dr Diane Adamson, warning that some patients may experience much longer delays than usual as a result.
“I would like to thank our staff for their ongoing efforts during this extremely challenging period and the public for their understanding and co-operation,” she said.
Royal Stoke Hospital has asked people to wear face masks at its accident and emergency departmentCredit: Alamy
The rapid infection rate in the latest flu strain has sparked fears it could trigger one of the worst outbreaks in recent memory, if not ever.
And the big increase, which is ten-fold more than in 2023, leaves hospitals at an increased risk of being swamped.
Several wards have also started to reinstate compulsory mask-wearing to help slow the spread.
The Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford has asked people to wear face masks at its accident and emergency department.
Salisbury District and Great Western Hospitals in Wiltshire are asking all patients, visitors and members of staff in their A&E departments, as well as a number of other assessment units, to also wear face coverings.
Sir Jim Mackey, CEO of NHS England warned of a “really, really big increase” in cases that might require a “national response”.
Headteachers have warned it feels like “being back in Covid times”, with some even cutting singing in assemblies to curb the spread of illness.
St Martin’s secondary school in Caerphilly, South Wales, has been temporarily closed after 242 pupils and 12 staff members fell sick.
Headteacher Lee Jarvis told parents and carers about a “significant outbreak of flu-like illness”, saying there would be a “firebreak” period.
Elsewhere, Congleton High School in Cheshire shut for three days a fortnight ago after high numbers of pupils suffered flu-like symptoms.
Headteacher Heidi Thurland said the closure was to carry out a deep clean, with teaching continuing on a remote learning platform.
St Martin’s in Caerphilly, South Wales, which has been temporarily closed after 242 pupils and 12 staff members fell sickCredit: Google Maps
Wigton Moor Primary School stopped singing in assemblies to curb the spread of fluCredit: Google maps
Simon Kidwell, Head at Hartford Manor Primary School and Nursery in Nantwich, Cheshire, admitted combatting flu had been a “real challenge”.
He told BBC Breakfast this morning: “The winter bugs spread really easily in schools.
“We do know that we can do things to make sure that it’s safer in schools.
“But we’ve seen schools close to us in Cheshire for three days, so it has been a real challenge this year”.
The NHS issued an urgent vaccination plea on Monday as London flu hospitalisations have tripled due to an “unprecedented flu wave”.
Dr Chris Streather, Chief Medical Director for the NHS in London, said: “The NHS has prepared earlier for winter than ever before, but despite this, we know that surging flu cases, coinciding with industrial action by resident doctors, will put pressure on services in the coming weeks.
“While we’ve vaccinated over 1.8 million people this season, there are still vulnerable people who haven’t come forward.
“If you’re in one of the eligible groups and you haven’t had your flu vaccine yet, I urge you to come forward as soon as possible – it’s never too late.”
Dr Fenella Wrigley, Chief Medical Officer for the London Ambulance Service, added: “I strongly urge all eligible people to get a flu vaccination.
“We are extremely busy and our 999 control rooms are taking a number of calls from people with flu or similar viral illnesses.
“Flu can make you feel very unwell, but most healthy people recover with rest, fluids and products available at your pharmacy to manage symptoms.
“We need our clinicians to be available to help the people who are more seriously unwell with flu or other conditions.’
But over the course of last week, it was very, very challenging with the number of pupils and staff off. It took me back to 2020, to be honest
Brian Guthrie ,
The news comes after a Wigton Moor Primary School stopped singing in assemblies to curb the spread of flu.
The school, based in Leeds, introduced several Covid-style measures to counter the spread, including stopping singing in assembly.
“We’ve had assemblies, but we’ve not sung in assemblies because again, we know that that’s something that spreads it quite a lot, Mrs Bown said.
She told the BBC: “We are rehearsing for nativities at the moment and Christmas performances…
“…we know from Covid that singing in schools is one of the worst spreaders.”
‘It’s not just been flu’
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), another winter virus that can be fatal in children, is also rising with the number of positive tests at 10 per cent.
This is up from 8.7 per cent last week, the same figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show.
The dreaded norovirus is at “expected levels” for this time of year, but cases are already creeping up.
Sadly, these rates are likely to climb further in the coming weeks as the winter vomiting bug spreads more easily in the cold.
But health chiefs are most worried about flu – in part because the virus has also mutated at least nine times over the summer.
This makes it a poor match for the vaccine the NHS is using. The NHS jab is based on what the World Health Organisation recommends, and this was drawn up in February.
Analysis by UK Government scientists found that the vaccine gave the same amount of protection against serious illness and hospitalisation as normal jabs.
But this data only includes people who have just been vaccinated, so the duration of protection remains unknown.
In a recent X post, the health service urged people to “cover your nose and mouth” and to “avoid contact with other people”.
During St Martin’s “firebreak period”, there will be a deep clean of the school, with online learning in place.
Their symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, high temperatures, cough, headaches, fatigue and ‘general flu-like effects’.
The school closed last Friday and is aiming to reopen tomorrow.
But parents were urged to keep their children at home if they show any symptoms, “even if mild”.
The measures also involve postponing after-school clubs, opening windows and implementing sanitisation stations.
The principal of a school in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland, said it is like “being back in Covid times” after 170 pupils were off sick on one day.
Brian Guthrie of Ebrington Primary School said some children even had to go to hospital.
He told BBC News NI: “It’s not just been flu, it’s been stomach bugs, very sore throats and illnesses in other ways as well.
“But over the course of last week, it was very, very challenging with the number of pupils and staff off. It took me back to 2020, to be honest.
“The attendance was actually worse last week than it would have been at any of the worst points… back in Covid times. It was a bit of a shock.”
Cruises have also suffered, as 100 passengers and crew members on the Aida Cruises voyage which left Hamburg on November 10 having had vomiting and diarrhoea.
Passengers began displaying symptoms of norovirus after stops in Boston, New York and Miami, according to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
Everything you need to know about flu
Flu will often get better on its own, but it can make some people seriously ill.
It’s important to get the flu vaccine if you’re advised to.
Flu symptoms come on very quickly and can include:
- a sudden high temperature
- an aching body
- feeling tired or exhausted
- a dry cough
- a sore throat
- a headache
- difficulty sleeping
- loss of appetite
- diarrhoea or tummy pain
- feeling sick and being sick
The symptoms are similar for children, but they can also get pain in their ear and appear less active.
There are things you can do to treat flu yourself:
- rest and sleep
- keep warm
- take paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower your temperature and treat aches and pains
- give paracetamol or ibuprofen to your child if they’re distressed or uncomfortable – check the packaging or leaflet to make sure the medicine is suitable for your child, or speak to a pharmacist or GP if you’re not sure
- drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration (your pee should be light yellow or clear)
But ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if you or your child have symptoms of flu and:
- you’re worried about your baby’s or child’s symptoms
- you’re 65 or over
- you’re pregnant
- you have a long-term medical condition – for example, diabetes or a condition that affects your heart, lungs, kidneys, brain or nerves
- you have a weakened immune system – for example, because of chemotherapy or HIV
- your symptoms do not improve after seven days
Call 999 or go to A&E if:
- get sudden chest pain
- have difficulty breathing
- start coughing up a lot of blood
How to protect yourself and your family
The flu vaccine helps protect against flu, which can be a serious or life-threatening illness.
It’s offered on the NHS every year in autumn or early winter to people at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu.
You can get the free NHS flu vaccine if you:
- are aged 65 or over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2026)
- have certain long-term health conditions
- are pregnant
- live in a care home
- are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer’s allowance
- live with someone who has a weakened immune system
If you’re eligible for an NHS flu vaccine, you can:
Source: NHS
