Figures released by NHS London show that there are currently 77 patients in hospital with the swine flu (H1N1) virus.

Of these, 12 patients are currently being treated in intensive care. Sadly, two patients with swine flu have died. This brings the total number of deaths in the capital to 35. No further information will be released to protect the confidentiality of the patients and their families.

Dr Chloe Sellwood, Pandemic Flu Lead at NHS London said: “We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of both individuals.

“It is important to remember that for the majority of people swine flu remains a mild illness and most will recover after just a few days. You should however always contact your GP if your symptoms persist or get worse.

“This week has seen the beginning of the swine flu vaccination programme, targeting frontline healthcare staff to protect them and patients in their care. The first GP surgeries will receive the vaccine from the beginning of next week and we will continue to roll out the vaccination programme in the following weeks. Patients will be contacted by their GP if they fall into one of the groups identified as most at risk of developing severe illness from swine flu.”

Should anyone have flu-like symptoms, the National Pandemic Flu Service allows them to check their symptoms easily online or by phone, and get fast access to antiviral treatment if needed. This service is available at www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu or by calling 0800 1 513 100 (textphone 0800 1 513 200 for people who are deaf or hard of hearing).

London has 180 antiviral collection points open across the capital. Since the National Pandemic Flu Service was launched on 23 July, around 230,000 people in London have contacted the service and had their symptoms assessed. Of these, around 97,000 have been given access to and collected antiviral drugs from collection points to treat their symptoms (as of October 21, 2009).

The swine flu vaccine will be prioritised initially to those most at risk of developing severe illness. The following at risk groups will be prioritised in the following order:

• People aged over six months and under 65 years in current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at risk groups
• All pregnant women
• Household contacts of people with compromised immune systems e.g. people in regular close contact with patients on treatment for cancer
• People aged 65 and over in the current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at risk groups. This does not include otherwise healthy over 65s, since they appear to have some natural immunity to the virus. In addition to this, front line health and social care workers will be offered the vaccine at the same time as the first clinical at risk groups as they are at increased risk of infection and of transmitting that infection to susceptible patients.

If you or a member of your family has a fever or high temperature (over 38°C/100.4°F) and two or more of the following symptoms, you may have swine flu:

• unusual tiredness,
• headache,
• runny nose,
• sore throat,
• shortness of breath or cough,
• loss of appetite,
• aching muscles
• diarrhoea or vomiting.

If you have flu-like symptoms, the best advice is: to stay at home, rest, drink plenty of fluids and take over-the-counter flu remedies to help relieve the symptoms.

If you have flu-like symptoms, please call the National Pandemic Flu Service treatment line on 0800 1 513 100.

For further information, please call the National Pandemic Flu service information line on 0800 1 513 513 or go to www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu.

If you have taken these steps and are still concerned call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or call your GP for advice.

Please DO NOT go to the A&E unless you are seriously ill.

NHS London continues to advise people that they should not go to A&E or their GP if they suspect they have swine flu. However, if you have flu-like symptoms, it is important that you call your GP directly if:

• you have a serious existing illness that weakens your immune system, such as cancer
• you are pregnant,
• you have a sick child under one,
• your condition suddenly get much worse; or
• your condition is still getting worse after seven days (five days for a child).

Preventing the spread of germs is the single most effective way to slow the spread of diseases such as swine flu. You should always: wash your hands regularly with soap and water, clean surfaces regularly to get rid of germs, use tissues to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, place used tissues in a bin as soon as possible.