The number of people in hospital with flu has continued to “skyrocket”, quadrupling in a month with more than 5,000 onwards by New Year’s Day.
Norovirus cases were also 40% higher than last year, with 528 patients hospitalised. This was down from 723 just before Christmas but significantly higher than 378 at the same time last year.
The NHS also had 1,300 more beds open last week than last year and 648 more beds occupied.
Professor Julian Redhead, NHS national clinical director for urgent and emergency care, urged people to keep warm and stock up on medication during this weekend’s “extreme cold snap”.
He said: “These latest figures show the pressure from flu was nowhere near letting up before we headed into the New Year, skyrocketing to over 5,000 cases a day in hospital as of the end of last week and rising at a very concerning rate.
“On top of flu there is also continual pressure from Covid, while RSV and norovirus hospital cases are also higher than last year, with hospitals putting in place an extra 1,300 beds last week than the same time last year in expectation of this continued pressure from viruses and other demand.
“With what looks like an extreme cold snap expected right across England ahead of the weekend, we know the low temperatures can be dangerous for those who are vulnerable or have respiratory conditions so if you are at risk, do try and keep warm and make sure you are stocked up on any regular medication.
“Please continue to use NHS 111 and 111 online if you need advice and support for health conditions, and only use 999 or attend A&E in life-threatening emergencies.”
NHS leaders warned the health service was extremely vulnerable as it faces the busiest weeks of the year and winter pressures strike.
More NHS trusts are expected to declare critical incidents in the coming days and weeks and pressure on GP and community services will also rise after the Christmas period.
One acute trust director told the NHS Confederation: “We have a huge flu spike. I’ve never seen numbers like it. High numbers are coming through our emergency department with flu and RSV, so pressure on our cubicles has been high. We have now started to cohort due to the number of patients. It is worse than I have seen in previous years.”
While the national vaccination booking system has now closed, those eligible can still get protected by visiting a Covid-19 walk-in vaccination site or finding a pharmacy offering the flu vaccine.