29 UK Swine Flu Deaths
On Monday, there were 17 UK swine flu deaths, but the government has announced that another 12 deaths have occurred since then, bringing the total of deaths to 29. This news comes as the number of new confirmed cases in the UK hit 55,000 just last week, and the National Health Service has seen a surge in consultations and calls.
England ministers have responded by promising the National Flu Service is going to go live next week to relieve pressure from GPs and hospitals. The government has also given a warning that the number of swine flu deaths this winter could rise to 19,000-65,000 in just the UK. However, experts say that it is impossible to estimate exactly how many, but with one out of every three people having the possibility of being infected during the next few months, the death toll may rise to these high numbers. Furthermore, the World Health Organization has said that this is the fastest-moving pandemic ever and added that it is pointless to count every case now.
The pandemic flue service will make it easy for people to access anti-flu drugs, as they will be able to use the internet or call to get medication. The service will not be available in Northern Ireland, Wales or Scotland, because officials think that the demand being place on these health services are not as high.
However in England, the rate of calls to the National Flu Service is 4 times as much as would be anticipated for the winter season, while the number of hospitalizations has doubled, with about 53 out of the 652 cases being critical. In the areas that have been hit the hardest, hospitals have reported wards being full of kids infected with the swine flu, with GP practices saying they see from 50-60 cases every day.
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