SOARING flu cases have sparked critical incidents at several NHS trusts, with patients asked today to attend A&E alone amid 50-hour waits for admission.

Hospital bosses have urged visitors to wear face masks as patients with the respiratory virus take up 5,000 beds a day in England.

Flu cases are 246 per cent higher than last year and have led to never before seen red alerts in ambulance trusts, with the peak of the flu season expected to hit when the new school term begins.