THE number of flu patients needing critical care in the region has halved in the past week, according to new figures.

The sharp drop in people needing to be treated in either a high-dependency bed or an intensive-care unit because of flu complications has helped to ease pressure on NHS hospitals.

The trend coincides with a general reduction in the number of people attending hospitals for winter-related illnesses and injuries.

The number of people needing critical care in the North-East fell from 57 to 24 in the past week, while in the Yorkshire and Humber region the corresponding figure fell from 62 last week to 38.

But as NHS staff breathed a sigh of relief, families across the region have been trying to come to terms with the loss of loved ones from flu.

One of the victims was charity volunteer Sharon Murdoch, 46, from Hartlepool, who died on January 4 after losing her battle with swine flu, the H1N1 variant of the virus.

Her partner of 28 years, Steven Cook, 54, said he feels lost.

Ms Murdoch was admitted to the University Hospital of Hartlepool on Christmas Day after developing a chesty cough.

Mr Cook was Ms Murdoch’s carer, as she suffered from asthma and fibromyalgia and used a wheelchair.

Her condition deteriorated rapidly and, despite intensive care, doctors told her partner there was nothing more they could do.

She died shortly after her doctors started reducing treatment.

Mr Cook said: “It is devastating. She was doing all right the night before.”

Dr Tricia Cresswell, deputy medical director at NHS North-East, said she wanted to thank frontline staff for their hard work in recent weeks.

“We are now starting to see a sustained reduction in the number of people seriously ill with flu in critical care.

The more general pressures – which we always see at this time of year – are also easing, and trusts are now getting back to business as usual,” she said.

She said people in at-risk groups who have not yet been vaccinated against flu should contact their GP and make sure they are protected.

A total of 254 people have died from flu in the UK since the most recent outbreak started in the autumn.