England's Health Service Faces 'Storm of Pressure' Amid Surge in Winter Viruses and Covid-19 Cases

The situation is further complicated by the threat of industrial action, with junior doctors planning a week-long strike in January.

England's public health service is under immense strain due to a surge in winter viruses like flu and norovirus, coupled with a rise in Covid-19 cases.
The situation is exacerbated by the threat of industrial action, with junior doctors planning a strike from January 3 to January 9, which could lead to the cancellation or delay of many routine appointments.
Despite the challenges, there are some positive signs, with more beds available than this time last year and fewer ambulance hours being lost to delays at hospital emergency rooms.
The number of patients hospitalized with flu has seen a six-fold increase over the last month, and nearly double the amount of patients are in hospital with norovirus compared to this week last year.
Covid-19 cases are also on the rise in the U.K., with more than 3,600 hospital patients having the virus on Christmas Eve, an increase of nearly 60% on the month before.