Liverpool Royal Hospital declares critical incident over ‘exceptionally high’ flu cases

“Exceptionally high” levels have flu have caused a hospital to declared a critical incident, as patients are urged to stay away unless it is an emergency. 

Liverpool Royal Hospital has told people to visit their GPs or call 111 amid high numbers visiting its emergency department. 

A spokesperson for the University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, which oversees the running of the Royal, said: “Given the exceptionally high demands on our emergency department, especially with flu and respiratory illnesses, and the number of patients we have taken this action to support the safe care and treatment of our patients, which is our absolute priority.