Four more swine flu-linked deaths

There have been four more swine flu-related deaths in the West Midlands region, health bosses have confirmed.

The latest figure means the total number of deaths where there has been a positive test of swine flu in the region has reached 19.

NHS West Midlands said the number of people seeing GPs for flu and flu-like illnesses went up to 50.9 per 100,000 in the population from 49.8 last week.

The average number across England is 47.1 per 100,000 in the population.

The number of people admitted to hospital in the region over the past week was 203, compared to 146 on the previous week.

There are currently 89 places across the West Midlands where people can collect anti-viral drugs from.

GPs across the region began to receive some supplies of the swine flu vaccine last week and will be contacting patients in at-risk groups, including pregnant women and those with lowered immune systems.