UK Hospitals Warn of ‘Worst Case Scenario’ as Super Flu Surges. UK hospitals are facing a “worst case scenario” as a wave of super flu drives a 55% rise in hospitalisations within just one week, health leaders warned. NHS England reported an average of 2,660 patients in hospital beds with flu—its highest level ever for this time of year, calling the situation an “unprecedented wave.” Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS National Medical Director, said the peak is “not in sight yet,” warning that the health service faces extremely challenging weeks ahead. People feeling unwell are being urged to wear face masks on public transport, while some hospitals have reintroduced mask requirements to limit spread. Officials are also urging more people to book flu jabs as the virus, driven by a mutated strain, sweeps across the country. Europe has been hit by an unusually early and severe flu season, with the ECDC saying infections are rising “much earlier than usual” and advising vulnerable people to get vaccinated immediately. In the UK, the crisis is compounded by a planned five-day strike by resident doctors starting December 17, involving nearly half of the medical workforce. Health minister Wes Streeting has offered new working conditions in hopes of averting the strike, though the union is still reviewing the proposal.