UK swine flu cases rise by 362

The government hopes to provide anti-flu drugs for 80% of the population

A further 362 patients in the UK have been diagnosed with swine flu, bringing the total to 3,307, the Health Protection Agency has said.

The West Midlands remains the worst affected area in the UK, with a further 89 cases on Wednesday and an overall total of 1,243 cases.

Some hospitals in that region have created triage areas to cope with complaints of symptoms.

Of the UK cases, a further 53 were confirmed in Scotland.

In England, there were 25 new cases in the South East, 21 in the east of England, seven in the East Midlands, four in both the North West and Yorkshire and Humber, three in the South West, as well as 153 cases in London.

Meanwhile, the National Public Health Service for Wales reported three new cases.

The total number of cases in Scotland has risen to 739, with 47 of the 53 new cases occurring in the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde area. Four people are being treated in hospital.

The West Midlands NHS said it had contingency plans in place in anticipation of staff being absent from work with swine flu.

Meanwhile, Heartlands Hospital in Birmingham and Good Hope Hospital in Sutton Coldfield have set up triage areas.

In Northern Ireland, one case of swine flu has been confirmed by the Department of Health, bringing the total there to 19.

The Department of Health said that latest case was a man who had recently returned from London.