The number of patients with swine flu who required intensive care rose to its highest level so far in the epidemic last week, with 99 patients being admitted compared with 63 at the end of July. “This is the most worrying figure we have had so far,” said Liam Donaldson, chief medical officer for England.

At a press conference on 22 October, Professor Donaldson said that the number of hospitalisations has risen sharply compared with the past few weeks, with 506 patients admitted to hospital in the week ending 21 October, compared with 840 in the last week of July.

Professor Donaldson expressed concern about the number of patients going into intensive care, particularly as initial information suggested that a large proportion …