MILLIONS of Brits face Christmas with Covid as testing suggests one in 24 of us have the bug less than a week before the big day.
NHS bosses have warned “winter is with us” as flu and norovirus cases are also surging and strike-hit hospitals are filling up.
AlamyMillions of people will have Covid over Christmas, figures show[/caption]
Covid testing figures estimate that 4.2 per cent of people in England – 2.4million people – currently have the virus.
And the number of people in hospital with the pandemic bug has risen by 38 per cent in a month to 3,390.
Admissions for flu have rocketed with an average of 613 people on wards each day compared to 153 a month ago.
More patients have diarrhoea and vomiting bug norovirus, too, with the 566 daily hospital cases over 50 per cent higher than this time last year.
It comes as beds are more full despite greater capacity and a doctors’ strike is blocking planned appointments and discharges.
Saffron Cordery, of NHS Providers which represents hospital bosses, said “Covid hasn’t gone away” and warned wards are “chock-a-block”.
NHS medical director, Professor Sir Stephen Powis, said: “Winter is well and truly with us and frontline staff are managing even more flu, Covid and norovirus.
“NHS staff are doing everything they can to get people home for Christmas but the latest strikes could have an impact.
“We expect this to be the most challenging winter yet with strike action, high occupancy in our hospitals and seasonal viruses.”
New random Covid testing by the UK Health Security Agency is checking rates in 150,000 people in England and Scotland.
They found under-45s and Londoners are more likely to be infected.
UKHSA data director Professor Steven Riley said: “Increased socialising at this time of year means that the potential for transmission is particularly high.
“This, as well as the possible impact of new variants, means it’s not unexpected to see cases increasing.
“If you have symptoms you should try to limit your contact with other people as much as possible, especially those who are older or more vulnerable.”
Pressure on hospitals is rising as junior doctors are midway through their eighth strike of the year.
Charities and MPs have called for them to end the damaging walkouts which threaten to ruin Christmas for many patients.
Caroline Abrahams, chief of Age UK, said on Wednesday: “If you are an older person who is stuck in hospital and can’t get home, that’s a pretty miserable way to spend Christmas.”
Tory MP Caroline Johnson, a working NHS doctor, added: “I fear the current strikes threaten public safety and will delay treatment at an already busy time for the NHS.
“Causing patients suffering in the pursuit of more money is, in my view, morally indefensible.”