Via the Guardian: Swine flu: last seven days sees record number of UK deaths. Excerpt:
More people have died from swine flu in the past seven days than in any week since the outbreak began, the Department of Health revealed today.
Thirty-one deaths associated with the H1N1 virus were recorded bringing the total number of fatalities since May to 245.
The estimate for new cases in England fell slightly again to 46,000 – the third successive week it has declined.
The unusual pattern of fewer infections but more deaths suggests a second major peak in cases is unlikely to be imminent. Around a million patients – and more health workers – have already been vaccinated against the virus.
The government chief medical officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, said that health officials were now reviewing how long they would continue to operate the telephone and online National Flu Pandemic Service, which dispenses anti-viral drugs.
"It's unlikely we would take it out of commission this side of Christmas," he said. "We will have to look hard at in January if the numbers continue to drop off.
"We still can't be sure there will not be some change in the virus before the winter is out. We can't be sure normal seasonal flu won't come back in. The NHS has been working very hard in some parts of the country. Intensive care units have been under a lot of pressure. So we are pleased that all the planning was done."
