Warning as flu levels soar in Aberdeen hospital

Aberdeen Royal Infirmary is witnessing a "sharp rise" in flu cases.

Almost one in 15 beds at Grampian's biggest hospital are currently occupied by patients with flu, the health board revealed - with the number rising daily.

Of the 58 patients currently in hospital with the illness across the Grampian area, 42 of those are in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

The health board said it had about 260% more patients in hospital with flu than at the same time last year.

Public health consultant Chris Littlejohn described a "recent sharp" increase in flu, trending towards what was considered a high rate.

"Currently we have the equivalent of around 2.5 wards at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary filled with flu patients," he said.

"We usually see flu numbers peak sometime between early January and mid-February - so there is certainly the potential for the number of people hospitalised, and ill in the community, to grow further in the coming days and weeks."

He said the last "bad year" for flu was 2018.

"We've already eclipsed the peak of hospital admissions for then, with numbers still rising," he added.

Mr Littlejohn said vaccines "really are the first line of defence".

He also encouraged good hand hygiene, and not visiting friends or family in hospital if feeling ill.

Earlier this month, NHS Grampian's chief executive said the health board continued to be in a "very busy and challenging" position entering the winter period.

The health board declared a critical incident last month.

It saw some ambulance patients diverted to hospitals outside its area due to demand at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. It was later stood down.

NHS Grampian chief executive Adam Coldwells told BBC Scotland News the board was seeking extra beds to improve capacity.