The doctors' strike has come at a "very difficult" time as Norfolk's hospitals deal with a surge in flu cases, NHS bosses have said.
Prof Lesley Dwyer, chief executive of the Norfolk and Waveney Hospitals Group - the newly-formed body responsible for Norfolk's acute hospitals - told a board meeting plans were in place to deal with the impact.
Resident doctors started five days of industrial action on Wednesday (December 17) in a dispute over pay and jobs.
Hopes that the strike could be averted at the last minute were dashed on Monday when members of the British Medical Association (BMA) rejected a fresh offer from the government.
The issue was discussed at the first board meeting of the newly-created Norfolk and Waveney Hospitals Group - which oversees what was effectively a merger of the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, the James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn.
Prof Dwyer, said: "This is really tricky time for us and today marks the first day of five days of industrial action by resident doctors.
"There have been some really laid plans put in place. I think this is the 14th instance of industrial action that the trust has had to deal with and it has come at a very difficult time for us."
Prof Dwyer said the strike coincided with the middle of flu season. But she said: "Our staff will step forward to ensure safety of patients in what we do."
Chris Bown, interim executive managing director for the QEH, said: "It is of concern to me, particularly this weekend when we are on a knife's edge as regards cover."
Ministers have accused the union of staging the strike at a time that would “inflict as much damage as they can” on the NHS amid rising levels of flu in hospitals.
It comes amid warnings of a “super flu” sweeping the nation, with flu cases in hospitals in England at a record level for this time of year.
Dr Jack Fletcher, chair of the resident doctors committee at the BMA, said the latest walk-out was the result of "hurried, last-minute offers" from the government.
The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital said its primary focus during strike days was to maintain services for patients who need emergency and urgent care.
The hospital said consultants and specialist doctors were not taking part in the strikes.
The hospital said patients should only attend A&E if they had life threatening conditions, such as breathing difficulties, chest pain, stroke, suspected sepsis or a serious injury.
It said patients whose appointments would need to be postponed would be contacted, but those who do not hear from the hospital should attend them as planned.
The QEH issued similar advice. Dr Rebecca Martin, medical director, said: “Our teams are working incredibly hard to maintain safe and effective services during this challenging week."
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