NHS hospitals in England have seen a rise in flu admissions after Christmas amid a cold spell. Figures for the week ending January 4 show an average of 2,924 patients were admitted to hospital with the flu each day, up 9% on the previous week's 2,676. The total occupancy of hospital beds increased by 5% compared to the previous week and reached almost 92%. NHS England said Christmas and New Year appointments may have influenced the rise in admissions. However, figures from the UK Health Safety Agency show that the overall incidence of flu in England has continued to fall. The positivity rate for flu tests was 13.9%, down from 15.4% previously.