Good Morning Britain's Dr Hilary Jones says 'do this' to protect loved ones this Christmas

Dr Hilary Jones (Image: Getty)

Good Morning Britain doctor is calling on people to do one thing before visiting relatives if unwell this winter. A survey of 2,000 adults revealed almost two in three of those under 24 (59%) say they will visit elderly relatives even if they have Covid, flu or norovirus over the festive season.

Now, following the new study carried out by Newfoundland Diagnostics, Dr Hilary Jones has called on people to test for flu and Covid-19. He says the coming winter is looking like having high levels of seasonal bugs meaning making sure you are fit to visit people could help protect others.

He said: "The worrying new data shows that this could be one of the worst Christmases on record for the country. We’ve already seen a rise in Covid, norovirus and flu cases compared to previous years, and judging by these findings, risky behaviours will no doubt exacerbate infection rates.

"This isn’t about cancelling Christmas, but rather using common sense and taking precautions to ensure festivities aren’t ruined. Testing before visiting elderly, vulnerable relatives or attending mass gatherings, avoiding contact with people if you’re unwell and being mindful of shared spaces are all small steps that can have a massive impact on the transmission of viruses.

“Not only will this help reduce the strain on the NHS during what’s already a very challenging winter for our precious health service but could potentially save lives," reports Surrey Live.

The poll examined Gen Z’s planned behaviour over Christmas. More than half (52%) admitted they would hug and kiss friends or colleagues whilst sick. Almost one in three admitted they will still drink alcohol (30%) while one in five said they would share vapes & cigarettes.

More than one in 10 said they would recreational drugs with one another (12%) whilst sick, further increasing the risk of a superspreader Christmas. And when quizzed 28% of Gen Zs said they wouldn't tell anyone that they were sick with Covid, flu or norovirus.

With a predicted 'triple-demic' of flu, norovirus, and Covid with cases already surging, health experts at Newfoundland warn that the attitude found in the survey may end in a public health disaster. Newfoundland is offering at-home testing options like Covid & Flu Combo Tests (£4.99), Strep A Tests (£9.99), and Vitamin D Tests (£7.99), meaning people have accessible tools to quickly diagnose and manage their health, helping to mitigate the spread of infectious diseases during the festive season.

Frederick Manduca, co-founder of Newfoundland Diagnostics, said: "This research exposes a critical threat to our NHS. When individuals attend social events while ill, they're not just risking personal health, but potentially triggering a domino effect that could overwhelm our already strained healthcare system.

"Every unnecessary transmission increases hospital admissions, delays critical treatments, and puts immense pressure on healthcare workers. Our message is clear; use affordable at-home testing, stay home when unwell, and take simple steps to protect both your health and our NHS." To keep track of your health this festive season, get your easy-to-use Newfoundland at-home health tests at https://www.newfoundland.io/shop.

Many people plan to still visit family and friends even when ill (Image: Getty)