The following are the top stories in national newspapers today.

Times of Malta says the number of people admitted to hospital with influenza grew by 15 per cent this week despite an increased uptake of the flu vaccination of 28 per cent. In another story, it says restaurant, nightclub and bar owners outside Valletta believed the New Year’s Eve event in the capital badly affected business, as potential clients stayed away.

The Malta Independent says Mater Dei CEO Ivan Falzon has praised the tireless work of all hospital staff over the Christmas period, which saw a significant increase in patient visits to the Accident and Emergency Department.

In-Nazzjon leads with the Home Affairs Minister’s statement yesterday that a senior police officer who resigned following allegations of head-butting his partner ‘worked hard’ saying this justified domestic violence.

L-Orizzont leads with the reopening of the Valletta market following an investment of €14 million.