A surge in viral infections, the cause of hospital overcrowding, has hit earlier than usual, leading doctors to fear the worst is still to come.

Doctors’ union general secretary, Martin Balzan, said the surge in medical cases at Mater Dei Hospital was growing from year to year because of an increasing elderly population that was more vulnerable.

“Infections at this time of the year are exacerbated by cold weather but the surge normally hits around January, which is why I believe we haven’t seen the worst yet,” Dr Balzan said when contacted yesterday.

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