The number of flu patients at Norfolk's biggest hospital has shot up by nearly 70pc as a wave of super flu continues to spread.
In the week ending December 7, the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital had an average of 13 flu patients a day.
The figures for the week ending December 14 have now been revealed and they show a sharp rise to an average of 22 flu patients per day.
These numbers are significantly higher than at other hospitals in Norfolk.
The James Paget in Gorleston saw 12 flu patients a day, compared to 11 a day the week before, and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn saw seven a day, up from two a day the week before.
The increase comes as a particularly strong strain of influenza - dubbed "superflu" - continues to sweep the UK.
Last week, Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS national medical director, called it "unprecedented" and said it has left the NHS facing a "worst case scenario".
Today, she warned hospitals are "nowhere near out of the woods yet" as flu cases remain at a record high for this time of year.
The rise in cases comes as resident doctors began five days of industrial action on Wednesday in a dispute over pay and jobs.
“While some parts of the country will be breathing a sigh of relief with flu cases not rising as quickly as feared, we are nowhere near out of the woods yet," Professor Pandit said.
“Combined with the impact of strikes, a stream of winter viruses means many hospitals will be on high alert in the days ahead.
“But it remains vital that people continue to come forward for NHS care as normal.”
People with flu symptoms are being told not to visit A&E unless they have a life-threatening condition and the East of England Ambulance Service has moved to its "highest escalation level".
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