An average of 1,861 patients suffering from the flu were in hospital each day last week, compared with 1,099 in the previous seven day period, according to NHS data published on Thursday. The number of flu patients in critical care beds in England increased from 39 to 66 over the same period and the health service is urging those eligible for a jab to get themselves vaccinated to avoid “festive flu”.

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NHS England said that the number of hospital beds in England occupied by flu patients has increased by 70% in a week, as the health service warned of a "tidal wave of flu" hitting hospitals.

NHS hit by 'tidal wave' of flu as hospital cases in London surge 61% in a week - NHS chief says figures are ‘very concerning’ heading into the busiest period of the year for hospitals

That is more than three times higher than this time last year, with doctors warning that they are struggling to contain the spread of the virus within hospitals as well as seeing more patients being admitted.

NHS England has warned services “tidal wave” of infections and are bracing for a “quad-demic” of bugs this winter, with the increase in cases of flu, norovirus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and expected increases of Covid-19.

People are being urged to get a flu vaccine if they are eligible following a stark warning over a significant increase in cases

Warning of a ‘tidal wave’ of flu as cases rise significantly in a week - Health leaders said that the rise was ‘concerning for patients and the NHS’.

The NHS has warned of a “tidal wave” of flu infections in the last seven days, with a 70 per cent increase in hospital cases in England.