Kirklees swine flu cases yet to soar

Oct 30 2009 By Anne-Marie Senior

“It is just starting to arrive in primary care now and the primary care trusts and GPs are absolutely ready to start delivering it to patients as soon as they can get their hands on it.

“We continue to be ready but we are just not seeing the predicted surge.”

Their comments came as an estimated 78,000 new cases of swine flu were reported in England in the past week.

The numbers are up from 53,000 the week before but fall short of the 100,000 cases at the peak of swine flu in July.

There are currently 751 people in hospital with the virus, of which 157 are in intensive care.

Children under 14 continue to be group worst hit.

The weekly figures for Kirklees were expected to be published today.

A spokesman for NHS Kirklees said: “From this week, GPs have started writing to those patients in at-risk groups to invite them for the vaccine.

“This will be on a phased basis as GPs receive the vaccine. It is going to take a few weeks.

“We would encourage those in the at risks groups to take up the vaccine.”