An outbreak of flu has left 60 patients ill and forced the closure of two wards at Addenbrooke’s hospital in Cambridge. The 1,000-bed hospital is “struggling to cope with demand” after a surge in admissions this week and a further outbreak within the hospital.
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS foundation trust, which runs Addenbrooke’s, said the virus is everywhere in the hospital, including public areas such as the concourse, and has urged people to stay away unless in an emergency.
Two wards are shut and three others have bays that are affected, a hospital spokesman said.
He added: “There are a high number of flu cases across the hospital and our emergency department is already at capacity.
“If you are suffering with flu-like symptoms, please check with your GP, local pharmacist or NHS 111.”
Dr Jag Ahluwalia, the trust’s medical director, said some patients had been sent to neighbouring hospitals. He said: “The hospital is full and we’re struggling to cope with demand. Some patients have had to be diverted to other hospitals.
“We are also urging people not to bring children on site and keep visiting to a minimum – a single visitor if possible, no large family groups.
“For coughs, colds and flu-like illnesses, people are better off at home, resting and drinking plenty of fluids. We need people to stay away from the hospital, and ask themselves – ‘do you need to be here?’”
Influenza is a viral illness that is especially common in winter and is spread by coughing and sneezing.
Many people can have a flu vaccine free on the NHS, but as a viral infection it cannot be treated by antibiotics.
