The NHS is under strain as it tackles high flu cases, with some hospitals asking people to wear face masks.

The number of people in hospital in England with flu remains at a record level for this time of year and has jumped by 55% in a week, NHS figures show.

Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, said “there is a tidal wave of flu tearing through our hospitals” as figures showed an average of 2,660 flu patients were in hospital each day last week, up from 1,717 the previous week.

At this point last year the number stood at 1,861 patients, while in 2023 it was just 402.

Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS national medical director, warned the “unprecedented wave of super flu is leaving the NHS facing a worst-case scenario for this time of year” and there was no peak in sight.

Dr Vicky Price, pres

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