NHS ‘facing worst-case scenario’ as hospital flu cases jump 55% in a week

Number of people in England being treated remains at record level for this time of year with daily average of 2,660

The NHS is facing its worst-case scenario" for flu cases this month across England after the number of people in hospital with the illness increased by 55% in a week.

An average of 2,660 patients a day were in an NHS hospital bed with flu, up from 1,717 last week and the highest ever for this time of year. By comparison, in the same week last year the number of patients in hospital with flu stood at 1,861, compared with 402 in 2023.