149 DEAD AS FLU HITS 8m BRITS

THE flu outbreak has now killed 149 people, doctors confirmed.

And they say that 8million more have been hit by the deadly bugs.

Some 120 deaths were recorded in England, 21 in Scotland and eight in Northern Ireland.

Fatalities have soared by 45%, raising fears this could be the worst outbreak in 50 years.

Last week more than 4,500 people were admitted to hospital with flu, up 11% on the previous seven days.

And 60% of the patients were suffering influenza B, caused by the Japanese flu sweeping Britain. Another 361 people were admitted with Aussie flu, with 20 fighting for their lives in intensive care.

Worst-hit regions include urban centres including Birmingham, Norwich, Nottingham, Manchester, York, Newcastle, Bristol, Portsmouth and Canterbury. But Public Health England suggested “various indicators show the rate of increase is slowing”.

The cold snap could change that and put a further strain on accident and emergency services.

NHS England warned reports of norovirus are now above the five-year average for this week and, although it was coping at present, the chilly weather could spark a spike in sickness.

It also emerged that even California has not escaped a flu crisis.

Medical centres have been swamped, leading to field tents full of patients in hospital car parks.

Doctor Brian Johnston, of White Memorial Medical Centre, said: “It’s like trying to surf a tsunami.”