The NHS remains on high alert over flu, health bosses say, but there are clear signs the surge in the virus has come to an end for now at least. Community spread appears to have stabilised, the UK Health Security Agency says. Meanwhile, the rise in hospital cases has slowed. And with just over 3,000 patients in hospital in England with the virus, the dire prediction by NHS chief executive Sir Jim Mackay of "between 5,000 and 8,000" cases has not materialised.
The most recent data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which monitors the spread of winter viruses, found there were 107 acute respiratory incidents in educational settings in England between 24 and 30 November. An "acute respiratory incident" is defined for a school as two or more cases occurring among pupils within a five-day period. It could apply to a range of respiratory illnesses like influenza, RSV, covid or the common cold.
"As we are currently unable to open, we have implemented a plan for the effective continuation of learning. "Work will be set in accordance with the usual timetable, where staff are well enough to do so. "A range of learning activities will be set... any additional teacher support in lessons will take place via Teams message or school email."
