Former Liverpool and Wales striker Ian Rush is currently recovering in the Countess of Chester Hospital after being admitted to intensive care with a severe case of the flu. The 64-year-old football legend was taken to the hospital last week after experiencing breathing difficulties at his home.
Rush, Liverpool's all-time leading goalscorer with 346 goals, was placed in the intensive care unit (ICU) where he received immediate treatment and spent 48 hours under close monitoring. The underlying cause of his respiratory distress has been attributed to the widespread 'superflu' outbreak affecting the UK. This outbreak has reportedly strained health services, forcing some schools to close and leading hospitals to declare critical incidents due to high patient volumes. Several hospitals across Britain have declared a critical incident due to high numbers of patients contracting the flu. The University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust is one of those to declare a critical incident at four hospitals due to the exceptional number of patients with flu.
Immediate reports confirm that Rush has responded exceptionally well to the treatment he received while in critical care and is now in "good spirits". Following his time in intensive care, he is expected to be discharged from the hospital in the near future. His positive recovery suggests that he may be able to return home in time for the Christmas holiday.
Due to his sudden illness and hospitalization, Rush was notably absent from Liverpool's recent match against Brighton at Anfield. As a long-standing and committed club ambassador for the Reds, attending games is typically part of his duties.
Throughout his illustrious career, Rush earned 73 caps for Wales and held the record as their leading goalscorer with 28 goals until Gareth Bale surpassed it in 2018. After retiring from professional football in 2000, Rush transitioned into management, including an eight-month spell in charge of Chester.
NHS England has issued warnings about soaring flu cases across the UK, with an average of 2,660 patients per day being admitted to hospitals in England last week. This figure represents the highest level for this time of year since records began in 2021 and marks a 55% increase compared to the previous week. The NHS urges people infected with the flu to call 999 or go to A&E if they experience specific severe symptoms. A Liverpool spokesperson thanked the staff at the hospital for "providing the best care possible" and said "everyone at Liverpool wishes him a speedy recovery".
