Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.More than 300 people are in intensive care with flu, Government figures showed today.
Data from the Department of Health for England revealed there were 302 people in intensive care beds.
It is unclear how many have swine flu but they are expected to be in the majority.
New figures on the number of deaths from flu and swine flu will be released by the Health Protection Agency on Thursday.
Health Secretary Andrew Lansley briefed Cabinet colleagues this morning on the flu situation and told them the NHS had plenty of capacity to deal with the upsurge in cases.
Prime Minister David Cameron told a press conference at 10 Downing Street: "We had a report at Cabinet this morning from the Health Secretary about the situation as regards flu, and particularly swine flu.
"He gave a report about the number of critical care beds being used for people with flu. While obviously... the number of flu cases has doubled in the last week, there is still plenty of capacity in the NHS.
"I think the figures on flu are are quite similar to two years ago. They are a little worse than last year.
"I think there is a very good grip in the Department of Health on this issue. Andrew Lansley has a great grip over that department."
Mr Cameron said he did not know whether his wife Samantha had been advised of the risk of swine flu to pregnant women while she was carrying their fourth child, Florence, who was born earlier this year.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments