Covid warning after NHS hit by 'quad-demic' (2025)

Covid cases have spiked, despite temperatures climbing across the UK

The NHS was hit hard this winter by a "quad-demic" of viruses, with nearly 600,000 hospital beds occupied by patients battling Covid-19, flu, RSV and norovirus.

New NHS data reveals that Covid cases have surged to their highest levels this year, despite rising temperatures suggesting that winter has come to an end.

Health bosses have warned that "winter is not over yet" for NHS staff as virus levels remain high. There were 1,174 patients in hospital with Covid last week – up by 11.9 per cent on the week before and the highest since December, the NHS warned.

Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS England’s National Medical Director, said: “This winter has been one of the toughest ever for staff, and despite their heroic efforts, far too many patients waited too long for care.

“While many of the initiatives rolled out this winter such as more virtual wards and same day emergency care services delivered improvements in getting patients the care they deserve – with fewer ambulance handover delays this winter – it’s clear we need to accelerate our progress.

“Despite the sunnier weather, COVID cases have jumped the highest level this year, in a sign winter is not over yet for our staff.

“It is vital that the public continue to use 999 and A&E in life-threatening emergencies and use NHS 111 – and 111 online – if you need advice and support for other conditions.”

The NHS announced this week that the 7.5 million people of Covid have been urged to get their jab in the spring Covid-19 vaccine rollout.

In a statement on Monday (April 1), Prof Powis said: “It is important we remember Covid-19 is just not just a winter illness and even in spring and summer it remains dangerous for those most at risk, such as older adults, care home residents and those who are immunosuppressed.

“It is great to see more than half a million of those eligible have already booked in to get their jabs and I encourage others to come forward and get booked in as soon as possible – protection from the Covid-19 vaccination reduces over time so just because you may have had a jab before, it is important to get a top-up if you are in one of the most at-risk groups.”

“With vaccinations starting today across the country, you do not need to wait for your invite to book – you can check our walk-in finder, book via the NHS website, the NHS App or call 119 and get a date for your jab in your diary.”

The latest NHS data also showed hospitals remain at capacity, with 94.1 per cent of adult beds occupied and a total of 90,475 adult patients in hospital each day.

It also revealed that a staggering 1.6 million NHS bed days were lost this winter due to patients who were medically fit to leave but remained in hospital, largely due to discharging delays to settings like social or community care.

Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting said: “I want to thank all NHS staff for their professionalism, resolve, and dedication in keeping our health service functioning throughout another challenging winter.

“Annual winter pressures, which will always exist, should not automatically lead to an annual winter crisis. We are already working to learn the lessons of this winter ahead to improve urgent and emergency care.

“Through the government’s Plan for Change, we will get the NHS back on its feet and make it fit for the future.”