Sixteen children have now died in the UK from invasive Strep A illness, as alarm bells sound over the NHS’ capacity to deal with the rise in serious winter illnesses. This is everything we know so far about Strep A in Greater Manchester - and what to expect over the coming week - from the region’s leading health experts.
The rise in Strep A illnesses comes as winter viruses and other seasonal sicknesses are more virulent after periods in lockdown, with one director of public health saying that paediatric units 'have never been under so much pressure'.
There has been an increase in scarlet fever in particular, which would have typically been expected in spring but is instead appearing now. Greater Manchester has yet to see the peak of cases, health leaders have warned.
