[bluehill]

THE number of new swine flu cases could reach more than 100,000 per day by the end of next month.

Addressing the Commons today, Health Secretary Andy Burnham said there were now 7,447 laboratory-confirmed cases in the UK but the numbers are rising fast.

The killer virus is now so out of control across Britain that docs will no longer test for it and urge those with ANY flu symptoms to stay at home, Mr Burnham said.

The nation's worst-hit regions – Birmingham and London – adopted this approach last week.

The aim is to take pressure off GP surgeries and encourage those with suspected flu to call NHS Direct instead for advice.

Those with the most serious cases and patients with dangerous underlying conditions like respiratory illness, will be given Tamiflu, the anti-viral drug that cuts the severity of symptoms.

Spreading

They will choose a 'flu friend' who will be given a special number to go and collect drugs from a collection point, so not to spread the virus.

Those with milder signs may be told to stay at home and rest, lowering their temperature with paracetamol and drinking plenty of fluids.

Only a small number of victims will receive swab tests so the Health Protection Agency can keep tabs on the strength of the virus.

The move does not mean that the strain – called H1N1 – has grown more deadly.

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But it shows that it has spread swiftly outside the disease's hotspot in the West Midlands.

There are 2424 cases in the West Midlands alone and 1794 in London.

A Department of Health spokesperson said: "The cases of swine flu found in the UK have so far been generally mild in most people, but are proving to be severe in a small minority of cases.

"'We are continuing to work to slow the spread of the disease in the majority of the UK, but we are allowing a more flexible outbreak management approach where community transmission has taken place."
(the sun) also being reported everywhere else.