A Suffolk hospital is currently experiencing a year-on-year spike in patients suffering with flu, with current numbers showing a large increase on this time last year when there were none.
East Suffolk and North Essex Foundation Trust (ESNEFT), which runs Ipswich Hospital, has revealed that on December 12 there were 18 patients with flu being treated at the Suffolk facility.
This is up six patients since last week (December 6) when 12 people were being treated with flu, and a huge increase on December 12, 2023, when there were no patients at all in the hospital with flu.
However, ESNEFT has confirmed no operations are being cancelled due to the number of patients with flu being in the hospital.
An Ipswich Hospital spokesman said: "We encourage everyone who is eligible to get their winter vaccines, including the flu jab, as soon as possible.
"Flu spreads more easily in winter when we spend more time together indoors and respiratory viruses, such as flu, usually reach their peak over the festive and new year period.
"Nobody wants to miss out on the festive celebrations with their friends and family this winter and the vaccines provide the best possible protection."
Meanwhile a spokesperson for West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, which runs West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds, said the trust has seen a "seasonal increase" in the number of patients with flu which has "come slightly earlier than last year."
“To help prevent the spread of winter viruses, like the flu, Covid-19 and norovirus, and to protect our patients and staff, please do not visit our hospitals if you have had flu-like symptoms within the last 48 hours and do not require urgent care.”"
They added people should not visit the hospital if they have symptoms including an ongoing cough, a fever, a cold, diarrhoea and vomiting, unless they need urgent care.
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