'National A&E emergency' declared as flu cases surge

DOCTORS have declared a national emergency as the wave of flu cases and cold weather push hospitals to breaking point. The number of patients with the virus rose by a fifth week-on-week to an average of 5,408 last week, latest figures showed yesterday. This compares to just 1,548 people in hospital with flu in the same period last year and was almost five times higher than at the beginning of December. The rate of admissions quadrupled in the last month of 2024 alone.

- By Hanna Geissler Health Editor

DOCTORS have declared a national emergency as the wave of flu cases and cold weather push hospitals to breaking point.

The number of patients with the virus rose by a fifth week-on-week to an average of 5,408 last week, latest figures showed yesterday.

This compares to just 1,548 people in hospital with flu in the same period last year and was almost five times higher than at the beginning of December. The rate of admissions quadrupled in the last month of 2024 alone.