Hospital admissions for flu in England have eased in recent days, offering some relief to the NHS at what is traditionally its most demanding time of year. Figures from NHS England show 2,676 patients were in hospital with flu last week, a drop from just over 3,000 the previous week. Health leaders said the decline was encouraging as January often brings the highest levels of winter pressure.

However, the improvement could be short-lived. The UK Health Security Agency has issued amber cold weather health alerts across England, warning that freezing temperatures are likely to place fresh strain on health and care services. The alerts, in place from Friday evening until the morning of 9 January, highlight risks such as rising demand, difficulties maintaining safe indoor temperatures and potential staff shortages caused by travel disruption.

NHS England’s medical director, Professor Meghana Pandit, said the fall in flu admissions was partly due to strong vaccination uptake, with more than half a million additional flu jabs delivered compared with the same point last year. She stressed, though, that services remain under significant pressure, noting that NHS 111 experienced its second busiest day in two years over the weekend.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting echoed the cautious tone, saying there were some positive signs compared with last winter, including fewer ambulance delays. But he urged people to get vaccinated if eligible and to use emergency services responsibly, as cold conditions could still lead to a resurgence in flu cases in the weeks ahead.