Norovirus cases have surged to the highest level ever seen in hospitals, concerning figures revealed today.
Rates of the vomiting bug, which can also cause diarrhoea and kills up to 80 Brits every year, are more than double that of the same time last year.
Over 1,100 patients a day were in hospital in England with norovirus last week, up on the 950 in the previous week, and 784 a month a go — a rise of 40 per cent.
Warning of the ‘concerning’ figures, officials said there was ‘no let up for hospital staff’ and urged Brits to keep frequently washing their hands to thwart transmission of the highly contagious virus.
The majority of people will not need to speak to a doctor about a norovirus infection. In most cases, it will clear up on its own.
But for those who are more vulnerable — typically the elderly, young and immunocompromised — it could lead to serious dehydration, resulting in hospitalisation.
Early signs of dehydration can include a dry mouth and throat, dizziness, fatigue, peeing less than usual and having sunken eyes.
For those who are vulnerable, dehydration can quickly turn deadly — as it impacts the delicate balance of salts in the blood that keep the organs functioning.
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The NHS also remains alarmingly close to capacity with 95.4 per cent of adult hospital beds occupied, the concerning data revealed today.
92 per cent is the point at which, experts say, performance of staff drops.
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS England’s national medical director, said: ‘It is concerning to see the number of patients with norovirus hit an all-time high and there is no let up for hospital staff who are working tirelessly to treat more than a thousand patients each day with the horrible bug, on top of other winter viruses.
‘To help stop the spread of norovirus, it is important to remember to wash your hands frequently with soap and water and avoid mixing with other people until you have not had symptoms for two days.
‘Hospitals continue to run at near capacity, with added pressure from almost one in seven beds taken up by patients who don’t need to be in hospital.
‘As these pressure continue it is vital that the public continue to use 999 and A&E in life-threatening emergencies and use NHS 111 — and 111 online — if you need advice and support for other conditions.’
Amy Douglas, lead epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency, said: ‘Norovirus cases are still exceptionally high and continue to rise, though we are hopeful that the school half term provides a break.
‘It remains important to take steps to avoid passing on the infection.
‘Norovirus remains high in other settings like hospitals and care homes too, and can be more severe in older adults, younger children and those who are immunocompromised.
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Over 1,100 patients a day were in hospital in England with norovirus last week, up on the 950 in the previous week — a rise of over a fifth
‘Please do not visit hospitals and care homes or return to work, school or nursery until 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped and don’t prepare food for others as you can still pass on the virus.
‘Alcohol gels do not kill norovirus. Wash your hands with soapy warm water and clean surfaces with bleach-based products where possible to help stop infections from spreading.’
According to the latest NHS weekly hospital figures, an average of 1,160 patients a day were in hospital last week, up 22 per cent on the previous week (948).
Levels were also more the double the same point 12 months ago, when an average of 509 beds were filled by patients with diarrhoea and vomiting or norovirus-like symptoms.
It has been estimated that for every case of norovirus reported to national surveillance in the UK, there are roughly 288 in the community that go unreported.
The bug is usually spread through close contact with someone who is infected, or by touching surfaces or objects, or eating food someone infected has touched.
Rest and having lots of fluid are often recommended by health professionals to help recover. Paracetamol may also aid a fever or aches and pains.
Many patients also ask doctors for antibiotics, but these are ineffective against viruses.
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The NHS data also found that RSV — which is most common in infants and young children — was up 83 per cent on the same period in 2024.
There was an average of 97,152 patients in hospital each day last week — higher than at any point so far this winter.
Almost one in seven (13,767) were taken up by patients who were medically fit to be discharged.
But surveillance data that monitors England’s flu outbreak, suggests hospital admissions have fallen once again, for the sixth week in a row.
An average of 1,755 patients were in hospital with flu last week, including 87 in critical care.
Almost 1,000 beds were also occupied by patients with Covid.
Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting said: ‘Today’s data shows the NHS is continuing to grapple with winter pressures across the country and I want to thank all the NHS staff working tirelessly in difficult conditions.
‘We have taken action to support the NHS this winter, including delivering millions of vaccinations for people up and down the country, rolling out the RSV vaccine for the first time and ending the resident doctor strikes so that staff are on the front line, not the picket line for the first winter in three years.
‘It will take time, but through our Plan for Change, we will get the NHS back on its feet.’
