Swine flu cases have dropped sharply for the first time since the pandemic began although deaths have risen, say health chiefs. They pledged the vaccine programme aimed at covering at least half the population this winter will go ahead. Without it, more people will die in the medium and long-term as the H1N1 virus responsible is likely to be active for several flu seasons, said the Government's chief medical officer. Latest figues show a 'significant decrease' in overall number of cases in the past week, with an estimated 30,000 new cases. The previous week had seen a rise of 110,000 cases - the highest rate of the pandemic here so far.
The number of swine flu victims admitted to hospital stood at 530 on Wednesday - with 56 in critical care beds - down on the previous week's figure of 793. The number of deaths in England linked to swine flu jumped by nine to 36 in the past week, although some of the extra deaths were previously reported to the Health Protection Agency (HPA) but needed further analysis. (Daily Mail)
