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Cases of flu have surged to their highest levels since 2022, health safety chiefs have warned.
Experts say Britain looks set for an ‘early flu season’ as the NHS struggles to recover from its busiest-ever summer.
Data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows that around 6.5 per cent of people testing for flu are positive – a significant jump from 5 per cent last week.
The spread is believed to come from youngsters starting at universities across the country in recent months.
And it comes amid a spike in the number of Covid-19 cases over the last two months.
Monthly infections of Covid are at their highest since October last year, and cases are rising at rapid pace.
Figures show 1,374 cases in August, rising to 4,589 in September.
Professor Frankie Swords, the national medical director at NHS England, said there are ‘ominous early signs of winter pressure’ on the horizon.
Cases of flu are have surged to their highest levels since 2022, health safety chiefs have warned
Officials are now urging Britons to get vaccinated against both flu and Covid.
‘Flu levels are increasing with the possibility of an early flu season so now is the time for those eligible to get vaccinated,’ said Dr Jamie LopezBernal, consultant epidemiologist at the UKHSA.
This is a breaking news story. More to follow.
