LONDON (Reuters) - The number of people needing hospital treatment for the H1N1 virus in England is "snowballing," although the rise in the overall number of estimated cases is slowing, health officials said on Thursday. The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said there are now 848 patients in hospital with swine flu, of whom 172 are receiving critical care. In September, the number of swine flu patients in hospital was below 300. Liam Donaldson, the chief medical officer, said the reason for the jump in severe cases was unknown, although the virus is not thought to have mutated.
LONDON (Reuters) - The number of people needing hospital treatment for the H1N1 virus in England is "snowballing," although the rise in the overall number of estimated cases is slowing, health officials said on Thursday.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said there are now 848 patients in hospital with swine flu, of whom 172 are receiving critical care. In September, the number of swine flu patients in hospital was below 300.
Liam Donaldson, the chief medical officer, said the reason for the jump in severe cases was unknown, although the virus is not thought to have mutated.
