NUMBERS of people with suspected swine flu in East Anglia has once again dropped, health bosses have revealed.
NUMBERS of people with suspected swine flu in East Anglia has once again dropped, health bosses have revealed.
It is estimated there were just 557 “observed” cases by medical professionals of swine flu across the whole region in the past week and 17 people are in hospital with some connection to the virus.
The number of people in the region who received a unique reference number through the National Flu Pandemic Service - which enables those assessed with the virus to get Tamiflu - dropped to 6,022 this week.
In the previous week there were 994 “observed” cases and 10,607 unique reference numbers were given out, and two weeks ago more than 50 people were in hospital because of the virus.
The drop follows an expected pattern and backs up predictions from health experts that the first “wave” of the pandemic is over and we have now hit a calmer period before the predicted second wave later in the year.
A spokesman from the regional health authority, NHS East of England, said: “The majority of cases continue to be mild. People who think they may have flu should be using the national service.”
The National Pandemic Flu Service is available online at www.direct. gov.uk/pandemicflu, on 0800 1 513 100 or 0800 1 513 200 (Textphone).
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