Stay At Home If Unwell To 'Protect The Vulnerable'

Health officials have urged the public to stay at home if they feel unwell rather than mixing with others over the Christmas period as Covid-19 and flu cases rise.

- Liam James

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.