The 1,000 bed Addenbrooke’s Hospital at Cambridge today warned visitors to stay away after closing two wards because of a flu outbreak.
The hospital said five areas were affected by the flu outbreak and more than 50 patients have caught the virus.
Medical director Dr Jag Ahluwalia said: “The hospital is full and we’re struggling to cope with demand. Some patients have had to be diverted to other hospitals.”
He said the hospital “has flu everywhere including public areas such as the concourse.
“-We are also urging people not to bring children on site and keep visiting to a minimum – a single visitor if possible, no large family groups.
“For coughs, colds and flu-like illnesses, people are better off at home, resting and drinking plenty of fluids.
“We need people to stay away from the hospital and ask themselves - do you need to be here?”
The hospital isn’t alone in feeling the pressure from the flu outbreak this winter; 65 hospital trusts in the UK said they’re under heavy pressure and six have put themselves in the highest state of emergency.
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