Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has given a statement on face masks as the UK is hit by a flu epidemic (Image: PA)

The Government has no plans to change guidance on face masks amid a surge in flu cases, the Prime Minister has said. Sir Keir Starmer told reporters guidance regarding hand washing and ventilation is in place and people should use their “common sense”.

An average of 2,660 flu patients were in hospital in England each day in the week to December 7, including 106 in critical care. This is up 55% from 1,717 the previous week, when 69 were in critical care.

The figure is higher than at this point last winter, when the average stood at 1,861. It is also much higher than at this stage two years ago in December 2023, when the figure stood at 402, and at this point in 2022 (1,248

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