Cases of flu are continuing to soar as the latest data showed the number of hospital patients in England with the illness was five times higher than at the beginning of December. Data published on Thursday by NHS England showed there were 5,

The number of flu patients in hospital has risen across England for the sixth week in a row, figures released on Thursday morning show. Multiple hospitals declared or continued critical incidents this week, the highest NHS alert level, as the surge in respiratory cases overwhelmed accident and emergency departments.

NHS leaders have warned that the peak of the flu cycle has not yet hit, with February and March potentially worse for the health service.

Exceptionally high demand' on services forces hospitals to declare critical incidents amid rising cases of flu and respiratory illness - Anadolu Ajansı

The number of flu patients in hospital in England is nearly five times the figure at the start of last month. NHS England has published its latest monthly performance data for hospitals, along with this week’s snapshot of winter virus levels and A&E pressures. Here are the key figures from both reports:

Hospitals in Birmingham, Hampshire, Liverpool and Plymouth have declared critical incidents following a surge in patients with respiratory issues

The figures show there were 4,102 patients in hospital with flu on Christmas Day, before it rose sharply by almost a quarter to 5,074 by 29 December.

Eight major UK hospitals have declared a critical situation over the past day due to an unusually high demand, reportedly caused by pressure from seasonal flu.