Hospitals are at 'breaking point' as more than 21,000 people are diagnosed with the flu – and there's no let-up in sight
- Hospitals across Australia have been flooded with people sick with influenza
- Number of cases of the flu is rising but experts say there's no let-up in sight
- Last week 2,969 people in New South Wales were diagnosed with influenza
- There have been 49 people killed by a severe case of the flu so far this year
Hospitals across Australia have been flooded with people sick with influenza, as more than 21,000 people are diagnosed with the virus in New South Wales.
While the number of cases is quickly rising, there's no let up in sight as experts say the flu season is yet to reach its peak.
Just last week, 2,969 people in NSW were diagnosed with the flu, bringing the total number of cases in the state to 21,804 this year.
Just last week, 2,969 people in NSW were diagnosed with the flu, bringing the total number of cases in the state to 21,804 this year (stock image)
There have been 49 people killed by severe cases of the virus this year, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.
In the first half of 2019, NSW has already recorded more than 4,000 flu cases than the whole of last year.
The most recent influenza surveillance report comes as emergency departments across the state are overcrowded with patients.
One in six people attending emergency rooms are presenting with flu-like symptoms.
The numbers are higher at hospitals in Sydney's west, with one in five people presenting the flu symptoms.
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The same area has recorded the most flu diagnoses this year, with just 708 confirmed cases just last week.
Sydney's west has recorded a total of 4,351 confirmed cases of the flu so far this year.
Meanwhile, in Sydney's north 436 people were diagnosed with the virus last week, bringing the total this year to 3,686.
While the flu in 2017 was seen to be one of the most deadly yet, this year's flu outbreak is tracking higher.
Despite the rise in confirmed cases, public health experts say it's too early to determine whether the winter flu season will be mild or severe.
Hospitals across Australia have been flooded with people sick with influenza, as more than 21,000 people are diagnosed with the virus in New South Wales (stock image)
There have been a total of 70 flu outbreaks so far this year and 2.3 million doses of flu vaccine have been distributed to Australians.
NSW Health director of Communicable Diseases Dr Vicky Sheppeard said the vaccine is the best way to be protected against the flu.
'It's really important to cover your coughs and sneezes and wash your hands regularly,' she said.
'Just using soap and water to wash your hands regularly or an alcohol-based antibacterial hand gel is a very effective way of killing germs that could be passed on or ingested.'
