The region is not as badly affected by flu as elsewhere, although the BBC finds flu-jab appointments are scarce.

Flu cases are surging across England with people being urged to go back to wearing face masks if have symptoms – and below a map highlights the worst affected hospitals in the country

Flu cases are rising sharply in England with hospitals seeing more than 50% increase in patients over the past week.As per BBC, on average 2,660 people were hospitalized with influenza each day in the week ending Sunday.

The BBC visits Leicester Royal Infirmary to witness first-hand how it's coping with an early surge in cases of winter bugs.

Concerns about the spread of influenza are growing in the U.S. as the U.K. sees a flu surge in children and young adults.

NHS England also released figures showing which hospital trusts were most affected by the flu spike. On Sunday University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust recorded 254 general and acute beds full, with seven people in critical care from the flu.

A record high number of patients have been admitted into hospital battling flu as England and the NHS faces an 'unprecedented' flu crisis this winter over the H3N2 virus

Flu has come early this year—and cases are rocketing. Chris Baraniuk explains what’s making this season so exceptional Official data show that the percentage of positive flu tests began rising in England back in October.