A flu epidemic will hit England within a fortnight if current trends continue, according to latest figures suggesting more than eight million people are now suffering symptoms.

A report in the Telegraph yesterday (January 18) noted that new data show a “significant excess” of deaths among over 65s in England, and among those in all age groups in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Across England, flu levels are currently approaching high levels, the statistics from Public Health England show, with a 2.5-fold rise in cases in the last two weeks. If current trends continue, it means England will reach epidemic levels within a fortnight.