The number of people in hospital in England with Covid-19 has jumped to its highest level in almost two months, with admissions once again running above those for people with the flu.
A total of 8,643 patients in hospital had tested positive for coronavirus on 21 December, a rise of 29 per cent on the previous week, NHS data shows.
Flu admissions overtook Covid admissions earlier in December, but have now slipped behind - though both sets of rates are continuing to increase week-on-week.
Dr Mary Ramsay, director of public health programmes at the UK Health Security Agency, said: "We are seeing a rise in cases and hospital admissions for both flu and Covid-19 as people continue to mix indoors this winter.
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