According to the Centre for Health Protection's latest data released last Thursday, the activity of both Covid and flu has increased in the week from April 16 to 22.

That week, 125 people from 23 schools and care homes caught the flu, comparing with 53 from eight clusters the previous week.

But for the first four days of last week - April 23 to 26 - health authorities already recorded 44 institutional flu outbreaks, affecting 234 people. Since the start of the influenza season early last month, 83 institutions have been hit, including 31 primary schools, 16 homes for the disabled and 14 homes for the senior.

Between April 16 and 22, 28 adult flu patients have passed away, and 20 others were admitted to intensive care units in hospitals.

Among them, 16 have received the seasonal influenza jab this year.

For the first four days of the subsequent week, 18 adults have died of flu, and 11 more required intensive care.

As of April 26, the ongoing flu season has claimed 78 adult lives and sent 72 others to the ICU. Among them, 123 were diagnosed with influenza A (H1), 14 influenza A (H3) and the rest pending classification.

In the week from April 16 to 22, a 19-month-old girl and a 14-year-old boy were admitted to the ICU with flu-triggered brain dysfunction and shock respectively.

So far this year, two chronically-ill children have died of flu, including a 17-year-old boy and a four-year-old girl. Neither had taken this year's flu jab. The CHP said: "Given that seasonal influenza vaccines are safe and effective, all persons aged six months or above are recommended to receive influenza vaccine to protect themselves."

Covid outbreaks are also on the rise, with 167 institutions including nursery centers, schools and care homes reporting clusters in the week of April 16 to 22. The number was 180 for just the first four days in the subsequent week.