NHS Issues Urgent Two-Day Alert as Norovirus Hospitalisations Double
The NHS has issued a stark warning as hospital admissions for the unpleasant winter vomiting bug, norovirus, have more than doubled within just one month. NHS England has cautioned that cases in hospitals have now reached their "highest level" so far this winter, prompting urgent public health measures.
Sharp Rise in Hospital Cases
Figures released on 19 February reveal that an average of 1,012 patients are currently in hospital with norovirus each day. This marks the first time this winter that the daily average has exceeded 1,000, representing a significant increase of nearly nine per cent compared to the previous week's figure of 929.
Throughout January, the situation escalated dramatically, with the average number of norovirus patients in hospitals per day increasing by more than 2.5 times, from 361 to 950. NHS England has described this as a "second surge," with cases climbing again in February after a brief plateau at the month's beginning.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, NHS England said: "Norovirus cases in NHS hospitals have risen to their highest level so far this winter, with an average of 1,012 patients in hospital each day. These numbers have more than doubled since early January and have risen for the second week in a row."
Impact on Hospital Capacity
The surge is also affecting hospital operations, with the average daily number of adult hospital beds closed due to norovirus symptoms this week reaching 1,257. This represents an increase of more than eight per cent compared to last week's 1,162, and a staggering rise of over 190 per cent since the first complete week of January, when only 432 beds were closed.
Understanding Norovirus
Norovirus, commonly known as the winter vomiting bug, is a highly contagious stomach illness that causes vomiting and diarrhoea. The virus is transmitted through faeces and can easily spread from person to person through various means:
- Close contact with an infected individual
- Touching contaminated surfaces or objects before touching your mouth
- Consuming food prepared or handled by someone carrying norovirus
- Drinking contaminated water or eating infected food
Alongside the primary symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea, sufferers may also experience a high temperature, headache, abdominal pain, and general body aches.
Public Health Appeal
NHS doctors are now appealing to the public to help stop the spread of norovirus to family members and work colleagues by following straightforward preventive measures. These include maintaining proper hand hygiene and staying away from schools and workplaces until symptoms have cleared for at least two days.
Dr Claire Fuller, NHS national medical director, emphasised: "It's vital that we do all we can to avoid a second surge in norovirus at a time when the NHS remains flat out coping with winter pressures. The public has a huge role to play in stopping the spread of this bug by taking some simple precautions like good hand hygiene with regular handwashing with soap and water."
She added: "If you have symptoms, stay home, rest and drink fluids, and please don't go to places like schools, workplaces, hospitals and care homes until you have been symptom-free for at least two days. If you have any concerns about norovirus symptoms, local pharmacies can provide support and advice and remedies, or please contact 111 or use 111 Online."
The NHS warning comes as the health service continues to face significant winter pressures, making the control of norovirus outbreaks particularly crucial to maintaining hospital capacity and protecting vulnerable patients.
