DEMAND for the swine flu drug Tamiflu has increased at an East Yorkshire pharmacy as the total number of deaths linked to the illness in the UK reaches 29.

East Riding Pharmacy, in Hedon, which has seen the number of Tamiflu prescriptions rise to up to 15 a day over the last week.

There have been suspected cases of the illness in west, north and east Hull, Beverley and Holderness.

However, pharmacist Shazad Yousaf reassured residents the figures continued to be low compared with other regions.

He said: "This week, the number of Tamiflu prescriptions has increased quite rapidly, but we are still nowhere near the levels in some cities.

"We are receiving 10 to 15 prescriptions a day compared with just one or two last week.

"I have friends in cities such as Birmingham where they are dispensing 100 to 200 prescriptions a day."

Mr Yousaf said the rise was down to a national change in strategy in dealing with the illness the "containment phase" to the "treatment phase".

It means doctors are offering treatment to patients they suspected have swine flu, instead of ordering tests.

Mr Yousaf urged everyone to have a "flu buddy" who could pick up a prescription on their behalf.

This is to stop people passing on the virus to more people, including pharmacy staff, who are particularly vulnerable.

Mr Yousaf said "the phone had not stopped ringing" with concerned patients, however, the pharmacy can only dispense Tamiflu to patients who have prescriptions from their doctor.

"Some say they have phoned their doctors and been told it is just a cold," he said.

"They are concerned and they are calling for a second opinion, which we cannot give. It is difficult for the doctors as they are having to diagnose people over the phone."

The Health Protection Agency estimates there were 55,000 new cases of swine flu in England in the last week, including people visiting GPs and those who are looking after themselves at home.

Up to 85,000 people could be currently affected, according to the agency.

The numbers being treated in English hospitals have doubled in one week to 652, of which 53 are in intensive care.

The highest number of hospitalisations - 354 - are among those aged 16 to 64, followed by under fives - 134 - and those aged five to 15 - 84.

Some schools could remain closed in September if swine flu escalates over the summer, according to official guidance.

The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) said while it is expected schools and nurseries would open as usual at the start of the academic year, they "cannot be certain what the situation will be" in the autumn.

Several schools in Hull and the East Riding sent out letters to parents before the summer holidays warning of suspected cases.