FEARS OF WORST FLU WAVE TO STRIKE

Experts urge people to get jabs after 'unprecedented' early surge in cases

- HANNA GEISSLER

THE NHS faces its worst "tidal wave of flu" as cases hit a record winter high.

After an early start to the flu season, experts urged people to get a jab as a mutated strain sent the total of hospital beds occupied by sufferers 10 times higher than 2023.

An average of 1,171 flu patients were treated on wards in England last week — 56% more than at the same point last year.

NHS chief executive Sir Jim Mackey said yesterday that toll could rocket to between 5,000 and 8,000 occupied beds next week.

Prof Julian Redhead, national medical director for urgent and emergency care, said flu cases were now “incredibly high”, and the latest figures “confirm our deepest concerns: the health service is bracing for an unprecedented flu wave this winter”.

He added: “The NHS has prepared earlier for winter than ever before but despite that, we know that ballooning flu cases coinciding with strikes may stretch our staff close to breaking point.