Swine flu kills Midland patient

A second person from the West Midlands has died after contracting swine flu - bringing the total number of deaths nationwide to 29.

West Midlands Strategic Health Authority is yet to release details about the region's second fatality.

It comes after reports that a healthy six-year-old boy died on Wednesday after catching the virus.

NHS South East Coast said it was investigating the case but could not confirm any further details.

There were more than 55,000 new swine flu cases reported last week and it is believed up to 85,000 people could be currently suffering from the disease.

In Wolverhampton, around 50 prescriptions for Tamiflu are being given out every day. Most schools in the city have been affected, including Holy Trinity Catholic Primary, Merridale Primary and St Paul's C of E Primary in Pendeford, which had to cancel its summer play due to a high level of absences.

The Government has now announced the National Flu Service will go live next week to relieve pressure on hospitals and GPs.

It has also warned that deaths this winter could be up to 65,000 in the UK, although experts say it is impossible to predict exactly.