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”.

Professor Sir Stephen Powis, national medical director for NHS England, said: “The tidal wave of flu cases and other seasonal viruses hitting hospitals is really concerning for patients and for the NHS – the figures are adding to our ‘quad-demic’ worries.

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

NHS England has warned of a “tidal wave of flu hitting hospitals” as the number of hospital beds occupied by patients with flu surged by 70% in a week. A&Es had their busiest November on record, with doctors seeing 2.

Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director, said: "The tidal wave of flu cases and other seasonal viruses hitting hospitals is really concerning for patients and f

The national medical director for NHS England said: "The tidal wave of flu cases and other seasonal viruses hitting hospitals is really concerning for patients and for 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.