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Hospitals throughout the UK are preparing for what some officials are describing as a "tidal wave of flu," amid concerns that a combination of post-Christmas pressures and continuing strikes could wreak havoc across wards.

The warning follows NHS statistics revealing a dramatic surge in flu-related hospital admissions. Latest figures show an average of 2,660 patients were admitted daily with the illness during the past week, establishing a new benchmark for flu hospitalisations at this point in the year.

This represented a substantial 55% rise compared to the preceding week. Emergency call-outs also climbed to 48,814, up from the previous year's total (802,525 versus 753,711).

"The flu predictions look worrying..." one hospital leader reportedly informed the Health Se

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