Each week, Ben Hopkinson looks back at a serious, crazy, and happy news story from the past week.
Serious News
The amount of emergency calls for ambulances has risen over the past week, with the London Ambulance Service reporting their three busiest days of the year in succession.
The majority of the increase in calls are to do with breathing difficulties, with the flu and viral infections being some of the causes.
This follows figures from the NHS that signal less than half of eligible people have taken the flu vaccine this season – only 1.7million people, or 46% of those able to. To meet the free jab eligibility, you must be one of the following:
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pregnant women
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all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2025
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children with certain long-term health conditions (aged 6 months to less than 18 years)
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primary & secondary school aged children (from reception to Year 11)
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all children in clinical risk groups aged from 6 months to under 18 years
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everyone aged 65 years and over
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individuals aged 18 to under 65 with certain long-term health conditions
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care home residents
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carers in receipt of carer's allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person
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those living with people who are immunocompromised
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frontline health and social care workers
Experts believe that this could be the worst flu season in a decade, as a new variant of the virus has been identified.
The rate of calls over the past week have been compared to those “more typically seen on New Year's Eve”.
On a typical busy day, LAS will take approximately 5,500 calls – but have seen 7,356 on Thursday 27th November, 7,608 the day after and even 6,776 on Sunday 30th November to name a few dates.
Crazy News
A woman has had to appear in court, as she was charged with walking the “wrong way” on an escalator within a train station.
Michaela Copeland, aged 32, was spotted at Greenwich station on Thursday November 27th walking in the opposite direction to the way the escalator was travelling.
It is not known in what direction she was travelling (or supposed to be travelling), however railway byelaws makes it an offence which could carry a fine of up to £1,000.
Ms Copeland pleaded not guilty to the offence.
Happy News
Last weekend saw more than 150 rescue dogs participate in a walk for various charities.
This is only the first of different events being organised by Rescue Dogs of London – a Christmas jumper parade for corgis took place on Saturday, and next Sunday will see dachshunds take part in the Christmas Hyde Park sausage dog walk.
Mary Wong, who was one of the team behind the event, rescued George and Lulu from Hungary and China says that many of the dogs had a “terrible start in life”, but have since been “given second chances” and are “blessed to have them in our lives”.
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