People who are not feeling well are advised to stay at home so that Covid and the flu do not put additional strain on the NHS affected by the crisis.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has warned cases of Covid, influenza and Streptococcus A are likely to rise when children return to school this week.
Children who are not feeling well and have a fever should stay away from school, and sick adults should stay at home, UKHSA advice says.
If adults need to go outside, they should wear a face mask, avoid care facilities, and not visit vulnerable people.
While this advice is not mandatory, it highlights experts’ concerns that the Covid and flu ‘twindemic’ is causing the most damage to hospitals since the peak of the pandemic.
Senior health officials have warned that 500 people are dying a week due to delays in emergency rooms.
The latest figures show 3,746 patients in the hospital with the flu, up from 520 at the end of November. After falling incidence in autumn, the number of Covid is also on the rise. Last week, 9,459 people were hospitalized with Covid.
The number of cases of scarlet fever caused by a bacterial infection with Streptococcus A this winter is the highest in several years.
According to the UKHSA, parents can minimize the spread of Covid, influenza and Streptococcus A in schools by keeping sick children out of school, washing their hands regularly with soap and water and using clean tissues for coughs and colds.
Professor Susan Hopkins, UKHSA senior medical adviser, said: “It is important to minimize the spread of infection in schools and other educational and child care settings. If your child is not feeling well and has a fever, they should stay at home and not go to school or daycare until they feel better and the temperature has subsided.
“It’s also important to help kids understand the importance of good hand hygiene, so practice regular handwashing at home with soap and warm water. Intercepting coughs and sneezes with tissues and then throwing them away is another easy way to prevent the spread of the disease.
“Adults should also try to stay at home if they are not feeling well and wear a mask if you need to go outside. Do not visit care facilities or vulnerable people if they are unwell unless absolutely necessary.
“Remember that the flu shot is still available to all eligible groups and offers the best protection against the virus. We see good immunization coverage in older age groups, but immunization coverage in younger children remains low.
“The flu can be very unpleasant and in some cases lead to a more serious illness. By vaccinating your child, you protect him and other people he comes into contact with, and it’s not too late.”
Children aged two and three, all elementary school students, and some middle school groups are eligible for the flu shot.
Source: I News
I’m Raymond Molina, a professional writer and journalist with over 5 years of experience in the media industry. I currently work for 24 News Reporters, where I write for the health section of their news website. In my role, I am responsible for researching and writing stories on current health trends and issues. My articles are often seen as thought-provoking pieces that provide valuable insight into the state of society’s wellbeing.