'You must wear a mask on public transport' - NHS boss issues new health warning over superflu 'tidal wave'

The former London Ambulance Service chief says the health service finds itself in "unchartered, unprecedented territory" thanks to a particularly aggressive strain of influenza.

"We really need people to sit up and listen," Mr Elkeles told Times Radio.

He's calling on anyone with a cough or who's sneezing to cover up in public spaces to prevent passing the virus on to others.

This year's flu is no ordinary bug, but a "very nasty variant" that's proving far more contagious than strains from previous years.

Health officials raised the alarm on Monday, revealing London is experiencing its biggest flu wave ever, with record numbers of cases and "no peak yet in sight".

Hospital admissions have tripled across the capital, with the culprit being a 'drifted' influenza A(H3N2) strain, nicknamed 'subclade K' or 'superflu.'

What's making matters worse is that the warm, wet weather is creating perfect conditions for the virus to spread. In addition, schools haven't broken up for Christmas yet either, meaning children are catching it in classrooms and bringing it home to their families.

"It's much earlier in the winter season than normal," Mr Elkeles explained, urging everyone who qualifies for a free flu jab to get vaccinated straight away.

"If you haven't already had your flu vaccine and you are eligible, please go and take it," he added.

For those who don't qualify for the free jab, he reckons spending £15 to £20 at your local pharmacy is "probably the best investment" you could make this winter.

The NHS boss is also asking people to dust off habits we all picked up during the pandemic.

"We need to get back into the habit that if you are coughing and sneezing, but not unwell enough to not go to work, then you must wear a mask when you are in public spaces," he said. "We were all very good about infection control during Covid, and we really, really need to get back to that now."

The pressure on the NHS doesn't stop there, unfortunately.

Whittington Health NHS Trust in London has started requiring masks in certain areas, telling visitors: "You must wear a mask when visiting our Emergency Department, some of our wards, and other clinical areas where the risk is high."

The trust has also asked anyone with flu symptoms to stay away from the hospital altogether.

Ambulance crews across the capital are now responding to hundreds of additional calls each week as cases continue to spiral.

To make matters trickier, the health service faces a potential double blow with resident doctors – previously called junior doctors – planning strike action in the run-up to Christmas.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander urged medics to reconsider, saying: "I do think that the British people want to see doctors at work."