An ‘unprecedented’ flu crisis is hitting the NHS as record numbers of flu patients are treated in hospital across England.

The latest data from the NHS shows that an average of 1,717 patients were in hospital with flu during the week ending November 30 - the highest number on record for this time of year.

In Coventry the average was 29 patients in hospital with flu - a relatively low number compared to elsewhere in the country.

Over in Birmingham more patients were hospitalised with flu than anywhere else in the country.

It comes as winter pressures hit the NHS. University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire this week announced the return of face masks in some departments.

And a patient at A&E reported maximum wait times of up to 16 hours in the emergency department . A spoke

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