HOSPITALS and ambulance services across Wales are facing mounting pressure as five different viruses circulate widely, causing a significant strain on healthcare resources. The Welsh Ambulance Service has declared a critical incident this week due to overwhelming demand on the 999 service and persistent handover delays.
Data from Public Health Wales (PHW) reveals that three distinct types of flu are circulating in the country: Influenza A(H1N1), commonly referred to as swine flu; Influenza A(H3N2), previously known as Australian flu; and Influenza B, which is currently appearing in smaller numbers. Influenza A(H1N1) remains the dominant strain, accounting for the highest number of confirmed cases.
In the week leading up to December 22, PHW reported a sharp rise in acute respiratory infections (ARI), including Covid-19, flu, and RSV. GPs recorded approximately 38.16 cases of ARI per 100,000 patients, a significant jump from 24.24 cases the previous week and almost double the same period last year, which stood at 25.97 per 100,000.
Escalating hospital admissions
Hospitals across Wales are also experiencing a surge in respiratory-related admissions. Out of 1,805 samples tested in hospitals during the reporting week, 526 were positive for influenza, followed by 173 for RSV and 168 for rhinovirus. Alarmingly, flu positivity rates increased from 21.4% to 29.1% in just one week.
Critical care units are under particular strain, with 27 patients confirmed to have Covid-19, RSV, or influenza occupying critical care beds as of December 15—an increase of eight from the previous week. These patients now account for 18% of all critical care admissions.
Outbreaks in care homes
Care home settings have also been severely impacted. PHW reported 13 ARI outbreaks in care facilities during the same period. Of these, one was confirmed as Influenza, two were classified as Influenza-like illness, and nine were linked to Influenza A (untyped). The outbreaks highlight the vulnerability of elderly and immunocompromised residents.
Mask Mandates and Visiting Restrictions Return
In response to the surge, several health boards have reintroduced mandatory mask-wearing and restricted hospital visiting hours to limit further spread of infections. Public Health Wales has issued renewed guidance urging people with symptoms to stay home, avoid visiting vulnerable relatives, and consider vaccination if they have not already done so.
Pressure on the Ambulance Service
The Welsh Ambulance Service’s declaration of a critical incident underscores the severe impact of the viral surge. Increased demand, coupled with prolonged handover delays at hospitals, has left paramedics stretched to their limits. Ambulance response times have suffered, and patients requiring urgent care face delays.
Experts predict that infection rates will continue to rise in the coming weeks, further straining an already overburdened healthcare system. The public is urged to remain vigilant, practice good hygiene, and take advantage of vaccination programmes.
