The NHS is strongly advising Brits to “stay home” if you have any cold or flu like symptoms as “super flu” is rapidly spreading throughout the UK.
The UK is grappling with a “tidal wave” of illness and Daniel Elkeles, chief executive of NHS Providers which represents NHS trusts warned Britain is seeing a “very nasty strain of flu.”
This year flu has occurred earlier than it normally does, he told Times Radio, “So children are still at school, it’s warm and wet, so it’s perfect flu-spreading conditions.”
He warned, “I think we need to get back into the habit that if you are coughing and sneezing, but you’re not unwell enough to not go to work, then you must wear a mask when you’re in public spaces, including on public transport to stop the chances of you giving your virus to somebody else.
“And we were all very good about infection control during Covid. And we really, really need to get back to that now.
Elkeles was asked if this means people who have “got a cold, they’re snuffling, they are coughing” should wear a mask whilst at work.
He said, “I think that would be very sensible to all their colleagues, or probably their colleagues would say ‘please go home.’
“But we have really got to worry about the fact that this is a very nasty strain of flu. It spreads very easily. It’s warm and wet out there and people need to be sensible.”
He said that this year the peak of the flu season may be worse than previous years, Elkeles added, “We really do need people to sit up and listen.
“And actually, we need to have a big debate probably after this flu season about how we prepare the public better for what happens every year.
“So if you haven’t already had your flu vaccine and you’re eligible, please go and take it.”
He then warned that the “really big challenge” will be when resident doctors strike next week, which comes as the NHS is dealing with the nationwide flu outbreak.
He said: “It’s not too late for resident doctors and the Government to find enough common ground in their conversations to say ‘we are determined to resolve this dispute but the thing that is really, really going to damage the NHS and harm patients is having the strike next week.
So let’s not have the strike next week and let’s carry on talking and get to a good place where resident doctors and the Government feel like there’s a good solution.
A Government spokesperson said, “This will be a tough winter for our NHS and the latest figures confirm flu cases are at very high levels this year.
“School attendance is critical for children’s life chances, and while it’s clear cases of flu are going to have an impact on attendance levels, we are clear school closures should only happen in extreme circumstances.
We provide clear guidance to help parents know exactly when to keep children home, and to help schools both manage children’s wellbeing and keep disruption to a minimum.
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