With the Christmas party season in full swing, a "tidal wave of flu" is causing mayhem as hospitalisations for the illness have skyrocketed by 41% over the last week.
Data from NHS England revealed that the number of flu patients occupying beds has overtaken the peak figures from last year, indicating a rate almost quadruple that of the previous year during the same period.
Figures show an average daily occupancy of 2,629 flu patients last week, with 125 of those in critical condition - a staggering increase from 1,861 patients and 66 in critical care just the week prior.
Previously, there had been a notable 70% escalation in flu hospital admissions that prompted the NHS England's chief medical director Sir Stephen Powis to issue a warning regarding an impending "tidal wave of flu".