The Latest Breaking News from Susan Hopkins

It is the second official warning to consider wearing a mask in the last 24 hours

The UK Health Security Agency has issued urgent advice after the Christmas break, including around hand washing

The advice comes as hospitals battle soaring rates of Covid, flu and Strep A

Today the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued fresh advice as hospitals battle soaring rates of Covid, flu and Strep A, amid warnings hundreds are dying unnecessarily every day due to overcrowding and lack of resources

Parents are being urged to keep their children at home if they are unwell and have a fever

The advice includes simple steps that can minimise the spread of illness in education and childcare settings as well as the wider community.

Health bosses have warned people to stay at home if they're unwell as the number of hospital admissions for flu have soared in the past week alone, rising by 79%

Anyone flying from China from January 5 will be required to show a negative Covid-19 test before departing.

A senior health official says the real extent of the illness may be much worse as the current total only refers to the confirmed number of cases

The UKHSA has seen more than 7,500 cases of the infection, as latest figures show at least 19 children have died from an invasive form of Strep A

Rise in infections across the UK has led to patients being offered alternative antibiotics to meet demand