Numbers of swine flu patients calling their GP have doubled in the past week across the West Midlands as the H1N1 virus continues to spread.
NHS West Midlands reported that rates of GP consultations over flu-like illnesses had jumped to 213 this week – up from 105 a week ago.
The past seven days has also seen 116 more people admitted to hospital with swine flu and, to date, nearly 19,000 people have collected anti-virals from collection points in the region.
Swine flu is still putting an extra strain on health centres as patients continue to seek advice despite the launch of a new National Flu Service phoneline and internet facility.
Pharmacy staff are also still having to turn away people requesting Tamiflu and sending them to the 66 antiviral collection points across the West Midlands.
One pharmacist in east Birmingham became so annoyed with constant requests that he placed a sign across the door telling them to go elsewhere.
But Midland health chiefs are optimistic at latest figures with no further deaths connected to swine flu and GP consultation rates were lower than the national rate of 224.
Nigel Smith, NHS West Midlands spokesman, said: “There are currently 66 Anti-Viral Collection points open across the West Midlands, which is sufficient to meet the level of demand at this present time.”
He added that the National Flu Pandemic Service had assessed 45,000 people from across the region since its launch last week.
The Government has said that the number of swine flu cases nationally “may have plateaued”, with 110,000 new cases in England last week.
The current death total linked to the virus for England is 27, while 793 patients are being treated in hospital.
New guidance is also being issued to new mothers with swine flu today, urging them to carry on breastfeeding their babies.
