The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued new advice telling people to stay home if they are ill, keep sick children away from school and consider wearing masks in public as the NHS battles a surge in Strep A, coronavirus and the flu. Professor Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Adviser at UKHSA, said unwell people should avoid going out unless it's urgent.
She said mask-wearing was advisable, and called on parents to do whatever possible to prevent flu, Covid, and Strep A sweeping through schools, reports The Mirror. Prof Hopkins said: "It’s important to minimise the spread of infection in schools and other education and childcare settings as much as possible.
"If your child is unwell and has a fever, they should stay home from school or nursery until they feel better and the fever has resolved."
She said: "Adults should also try to stay home when unwell and if you do have to go out, wear a face covering. When unwell don’t visit healthcare settings or visit vulnerable people unless urgent.
"Remember that flu vaccination is still available for all eligible groups and is the best protection against the virus.
"We have seen good uptake in older age groups but vaccination among young children remains low. Flu can be very unpleasant and in some cases can lead to more serious illness."
Royal College of Emergency Medicine chief Dr Adrian Boyle said hospitals have been hit with rocketing demand driven by flu, Covid, and Strep A. He said: “We think between 300 to 500 people are dying as a consequence of delays and problems with urgent and emergency care each week. We need to get a grip of this.
"I’d be amazed if December waiting time figures [yet to be released] are not the worst we’ve seen.
"We need to increase our capacity, make sure there are alternative ways so people aren’t all just funneled into the ambulance service and emergency department.”
In the week to December 19, 7,158 patients were admitted with Covid-19 - a 36% rise in seven days. 13 NHS, ambulance trusts and care boards have declared critical incidents.
Dr Tim Cooksley, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, told Sky News: "I know that people watching this will say 'well every winter you have doctors on that say that this winter is terrible, that it's normal winter pressures'.
"But there is a complete acceptance from all colleagues now that this is different from all previous winters — and we need urgent action now."
He continued: "This situation is much worse than we experienced under the Covid pandemic at its peak."
An NHS worker from the South West told The Sunday Times: “There is not enough oxygen in cylinders to treat patients in corridors, ambulances and in our walk-in area in A&E.”
Prof Hopkins added: "“Helping children to learn about the importance of good hand hygiene is also key, so practice regular handwashing at home with soap and warm water.
"Catching coughs and sneezes in tissues then binning them is another simple way to help stop illness from spreading.
"Flu can be very unpleasant and in some cases can lead to more serious illness. Getting your child vaccinated protects them and others they come into contact with, and it’s still not too late."
