NHS officials have warned the service is 'not out of danger yet' as temperatures are set to plummet across the UK. The latest data by NHS England shows the number of patients in hospital wiuth flu is levelling off, with signs the NHS is in 'calmer waters' after record hospital admissions in December.
However, health bosses warn 'pressures on hospitals remain incredibly high' - and an imminent cold snap could worsen the situation in hospitals. It comes as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has placed the whole of England under an amber cold health alert until January 6.
The alert was issued as temperatures are forecast to drop to -5C in England, according to the Met Office, with a number of snow and ice warnings in place across the UK. Amber cold health alerts are issued when the forecast weather is likely to cause 'significant impacts' on health and social care services, including a 'rise in deaths'.
The new NHS figures show an average of 3,061 flu patients in hospital each day in the week ending December 21, down from an average of 3,140 the week before. It follows record flu cases earlier this month as a surge in so-called 'super flu' led the NHS to warn it was facing its 'worst case scenario' for winter.
An average of 117 patients with flu were in critical care beds in the week ending December 21, down from 128 the previous week. Officials said the dip was 'thanks in part' to vaccination efforts, with half a million more people given the flu jab compared with the previous year.
But the NHS warned that hospitals are still facing 'incredible' pressure, with 95 per cent of adult beds full.
Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS England's national medical director, said: "I want to thank NHS staff who continue to deliver care under extraordinary pressure, and the public who have come forward to get their flu jab which is helping protect the public and ease pressure on hospitals.
"While there are signs of improvement and the NHS is in calmer waters, pressures on hospitals remain incredibly high and we're not out of danger yet with temperatures set to drop in the coming days."
Health Secretary Wes Streeting praised NHS staff for their efforts in the "face of ongoing pressures", adding: "By modernising the NHS - with strong clinical leadership, embracing digital tools and putting more power in the hands of local leaders - ambulance handover times are down on last year and more patients are getting the care they need, when they need it.
"Alongside this, we have delivered more than half a million more flu jabs this year compared to the last - but we are not out of the woods yet, with flu continuing to be a challenge."