Westcountry hospitals are coping well with a sudden surge in flu patients after a 60 per cent jump in incidences across the South West.
The virus has claimed the lives of 39 people from influenza-related conditions across Britain this winter.
A total of 738 people are now in critical condition in hospital with suspected or confirmed cases of flu, up from 460 on Christmas Eve, the Government says.
Latest figures from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) showed a further 12 people died from flu over the past week – but no locations or hospitals were disclosed.
The HPA regional office for the South West yesterday revealed a sharp rise in numbers of patients contacting their GPs in the last week.
The indicator of flu incidences shot up from 54 to 87 per 100,000 people, which edged it into the danger zone but below the higher national figure of 124.
“We are above normal now and would urge anyone in a high-risk group who has not been vaccinated to do so as soon as possible,” a HPA spokesman said.
The South West Strategic Health Authority said the region was “coping very well” despite high patient volumes.
“No particular area is having a hard time and everyone is pulling together and following their action plans”, a spokesman added.
A spokesman for the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital said the pressure was “not from flu alone” after 716 patients were treated in December for “fractures, falls and breaks” due to the recent ice and snow.
“We are certainly seeing poorly patients of all ages with flu symptoms but the winter pressures are typical for this time of year,” chief operating officer Elaine Hobson said.
“The majority of people with flu symptoms are recovering at home with acute hospitals treating patients whose health is being compromised because they are very young, frail elderly, pregnant or have an underlying medical condition or complication.”
The Royal Cornwall Hospital at Treliske was said to be conducting “business as usual” and not overwhelmed.
A spokesman for the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Primary Care Trust said there had been an increase in patients with flu-like symptoms “in line with the rest of the country”.
Of the 39 people who have died since the start of October, 36 were suffering from H1N1 swine flu, and three from influenza type B.
The Government announced it was to relaunch the “Catch it, Bin it, Kill it” health campaign. The move comes after Health Secretary Andrew Lansley defended his initial decision not to run the campaign earlier this week against accusations of cost cutting.
Incidences of flu in England and Wales rose from 86 to 124 per 100,000 people in the week ending December 26. Epidemic level is defined as 200 cases per 100,000.