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Panic as over 5000 hospitalised in UK diagnosed with flu as NHS laments

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Latest data shows there were 5,000 patients with the virus being treated in hospital at the end of last week – almost 3.5 times higher than the same week in 2023, although not as high as in 2022.

The head of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine told the BBC that pressure on hospitals is “unacceptably awful” and flu is pushing them to breaking point.

It comes as health officials warn about the impact of the very cold weather expected this weekend on vulnerable patients, and the health system.

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Prof Julian Redhead, NHS national clinical director for urgent and emergency care, said the figures show “the pressure from flu was nowhere near letting up before we headed into the new year, skyrocketing to over 5,000 cases a day in hospital as of the end of last week and rising at a very concerning rate”.

“With what looks like an extreme cold snap expected right across England ahead of the weekend, we know the low temperatures can be dangerous for those who are vulnerable or have respiratory conditions,” he added.

Prof Redhead says people at risk should try to keep warm and make sure they are stocked up on any regular medication.

It is not unusual to see an increase in flu during winter. The UK Health Security Agency says “this was anticipated” and that is why it has been urging those eligible to have a free flu vaccine, particularly health and social care workers.

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Some 33% of pregnant women, 37% of people in an at-risk group and 73% of over-65s have had the jab, according to the latest vaccination figures.

‘Lack of beds’

Hospitals have put extra beds in place this year to help deal with the pressure on admissions created by flu and other winter viruses, including Covid and norovirus (the winter vomiting bug).

NHS chiefs say they have also added more support for people who frequently need emergency services, with more care being delivered outside hospitals.

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Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said the NHS had done “all it could” in advance to reduce risk to patients, but the service remained in a position of “national vulnerability” with “intense pressures” starting to impact local services.

Figures for last week show some 12,200 patients were left waiting in ambulances for more than an hour before they could be cared for in hospital.

Dr Adrian Boyle, head of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that it was a very difficult time for both patients and staff.

“What we are seeing is ambulances are frequently stuck outside emergency departments, and our emergency departments are full.”

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He said there was “an enormous amount of avoidable harm – excess deaths that shouldn’t be happening”.

Flu is the straw that is breaking the camel’s back – because we have this chronic lack of beds within our hospitals, and we don’t use those beds properly because we haven’t reformed social care,” he added.

His criticism comes on the day the health and social care secretary set out plans for reforming adult social care in England, although they are unlikely to be delivered before 2028 at the earliest.

A number of hospitals across different regions in England have restricted visits and asked patients and visitors to wear face masks to prevent further spread of flu.

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In Scotland, there has also been a large rise in the number of people in hospital with flu. Earlier this week, First Minister John Swinney said the NHS was under “very significant pressures”.

A Welsh government spokesperson said there were continued “high levels of demand” on urgent and emergency care services this winter, and an increase in flu cases had added further pressure during the Christmas period.

What are flu symptoms?

Flu symptoms can progress very quickly and include:

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a sudden high temperature
an aching body
feeling tired or exhausted
a dry cough
a sore throat
a headache
feeling, and being, sick
Children and adults are affected in a similar way.

Who is eligible for a free flu jab?

A free flu vaccine is available to those considered at higher risk of becoming seriously ill from flu during late autumn and early winter, including people:

aged 65 or over
with certain long-term health conditions
who are pregnant
who live in a care home
are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person, or receive a carer’s allowance
live with someone who has a weakened immune system
are a front-line health and social care worker
Children aged 2-3 and school-aged children are also offered a vaccine.

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Anyone in eligible groups in England can book their vaccination through their GP surgery or local pharmacy, where available, or contact their employer if they are an NHS front-line worker.

People can also pay for vaccines privately at some pharmacies.

Why is flu so bad this year?

Flu creates problems every winter, being the season when viruses spread with ease, and can cause some to become very ill.

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The severity of seasonal flu varies from year to year, depending on many factors, including which strains of the flu virus are most dominant and how many people are vaccinated against flu.

Why are some flu outbreaks so much worse than others?

A surge of flu appears to have hit earlier this winter than anticipated – in December, instead of January or February – with more people unwell and off work over the Christmas and New Year period, and some in need of hospital treatment.

People socialising with friends and family during the Christmas festivities will likely have added to the spread of the virus.

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Health officials saw the flu wave coming, and have been urging people to take up the offer of a free flu vaccine for some time.

However, the number of people who have been vaccinated is lower than officials had hoped – just over a third of higher-risk adults have had the jab to date.

Several different strains of flu tend to circulate each winter, and the vaccine was created in advance to combat the current, predicted wave. According to health officials, the vaccine is doing its job.

Vaccines are particularly important in protecting against severe disease. Most people will recover from flu within a few weeks, but it can be serious, particularly if you have a long-term health condition or lower immunity.

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Thousands of people die from flu-related illnesses each year.

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Edo guber: APC’s Okpebholo wins at Tribunal

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo has been confirmed as Governor by the Edo Petition Tribunal in Abuja.

He had earlier won on September 21, 2024 on the political cum electoral turf when he clinched the first prize.

He defeated Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, his closest competitor, who was banking on the power of incumbent PDP administration in the state to win.

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Ighodalo and the PDP had filed their petition at the Tribunal challenging Okpebholo and APC’s victory at the poll.

But delivering its judgement in the petition on Wednesday, the Edo Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal ruled that PDP petition failed for lack of competent witnesses

The Tribunal said that the PDP petition challenging the outcome of the 2024 governorship election also failed, because of insufficient evidence to substantiate claims of electoral malpractice.

The petitioners had alleged that the failure to properly record electoral materials prior to the election had affected the results.

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However, the Tribunal found that while documents were submitted, no witnesses were called to properly authenticate them, rendering the evidence inadmissible.

Of the 19 witnesses presented by the petitioners, 14 were ward and local government agents, while their star witness, who claimed to be a director of strategy, played no direct role in the conduct of the election.

The Tribunal noted that none of these witnesses provided testimony on the alleged failure of prior recording of electoral materials, deeming them incompetent to testify on the matter.

Furthermore, the Tribunal emphasized that for allegations of over-voting to be proven, petitioners must provide oral evidence, in line with the precedent set by the Supreme Court.

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It stressed that it was bound to adhere strictly to the Supreme Court’s roadmap in adjudicating election disputes.

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Nigerian Immigration Operatives Nab 51 Illegal Migrants From Mali In Nyanya, Abuja

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According to the statement, the arrests took place on Monday, March 31, 2025, following credible intelligence.

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has said that its officers arrested 51 illegal migrants from Mali in New Nyanya, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

The NIS made this known in a statement issued on Wednesday by its Public Relations Officer, ACI A.S. Akinlabi.

According to the statement, the arrests took place on Monday, March 31, 2025, following credible intelligence.

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A breakdown of the arrested migrants revealed that 11 were female, while 40 were male, with ages ranging between 16 and 19 years.

Akinlabi stated that preliminary investigations revealed that the arrested illegal migrants may have been victims of Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and Smuggling of Migrants (SOM), as they were found without valid travel documents or residence permits.

“Preliminary investigations conducted by the Service suggest that the migrants may have been victims of Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and Smuggling of Migrants (SOM), as they were found without valid travel documents or residence permits,” Akinlabi stated.

The statement further noted that the detained individuals have been taken into the custody of the Service for further profiling and investigation.

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“The arrested individuals have been taken into the custody of the Service for further profiling and investigation to determine the circumstances of their migration and any potential involvement of trafficking or smuggling networks or syndicates,” Akinlabi added.

Akinlabi further stated that the NIS would determine the circumstances surrounding their migration and uncover any potential involvement of trafficking or smuggling syndicates.

The statement added, “The Nigeria Immigration Service remains committed to ensuring that Nigeria’s borders are protected against illegal migration while upholding the rights of migrants who comply with the country’s immigration laws.

“The Service continues to work closely with relevant authorities and stakeholders to combat smuggling of migrants and counter trafficking in persons effectively.

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“The NIS reassures the general public of its unwavering commitment to National Security and Migration Management while encouraging citizens to report suspicious migration activities to the nearest NIS Commands and Formations.”

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Police Exhume Engineer’s Body From Shallow Grave In Delta Community

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The remains of an engineer, Chigozie Udalu, have been exhumed from a shallow grave in Akwukwu-Igbo, the headquarters of Oshimili North Local Government Area in Delta State.

Recall that the engineer, who was contracted to construct offices in Akwukwu-Igbo, was murdered and buried in a shallow grave.

Though the incident occurred in December 2024, details only emerged recently after two suspects were arrested in connection with the crime.

Assailants Murder Construction Engineer In Delta State Community, Bury In Shallow Grave

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A community source revealed that the suspects, identified as Tiv youths from Benue State, allegedly killed the engineer and concealed his body on a farm.

“Two Tiv boys from Benue State have been arrested in connection with the crime. They buried the engineer’s remains in a shallow grave on a farm,” the source stated.

The Delta State Police Command confirmed the incident, with spokesman Edafe Bright acknowledging that an investigation was ongoing.

“We are aware of the incident, and our men are working to ensure others involved are apprehended,” Bright revealed.

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On Wednesday, the remains of the victim were exhumed by the police and the Delta State government.

A police source revealed that the arrested suspects alleged the engineer owed them money and often verbally abused them.

“They had also intended to steal cement from the site but perceived the engineer as an obstacle. On December 10, 2024, they planned to strike him with a 2×2 plank but assumed he was physically strong and might overpower them.

“On December 11, the Tiv boys put a rope around his neck from behind, causing strangulation. Upon his death, they buried him in a shallow grave on the farm,” the source explained.

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“Following the murder, the suspects reportedly completed their contract at the site and stole the victim’s phone, making several attempts to transfer money via a mobile app.

“Additionally, the landlord of the construction site was accused of being involved in money rituals. In an attempt to clear his name, he was taken to shrines to swear an oath before the victim’s family.

“The landlord recounted his ordeal, stating that he nearly gave up on the case due to the challenges he faced with the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Asaba.

“However, a police officer suggested he visit Ekpan Divisional Police Officer (DPO), CSP Aliyu Shaba. The officer assured him that within 30 days, the truth would be uncovered.

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“Upon arrival at Ekpan, the landlord briefed the DPO, who assembled his team and employed sophisticated investigative techniques, leading to the arrest of two suspects.

“One of the suspects later confessed to knowing the location where the engineer was buried,” the source said.

A young man was also arrested and transferred to the SCID for openly threatening the victim in the presence of the landlord, further highlighting the brutality of the crime.

Of the four individuals arrested, two are considered principal suspects. Meanwhile, a manhunt is ongoing for the remaining suspects who are still at large.

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