NHS two-day plea as winter bug hospitalisations have 'doubled' in a month

The NHS has issued an alert as the number of patients in hospital with a nasty winter bug has "doubled" in just one month. NHS England warned that norovirus cases in hospitals have risen to their "highest level" so far this winter.

There are an average of 1,012 patients in hospital with norovirus each day. Data published today (February 19) show the average number of patients in hospital with norovirus each day this week rose to over 1,000 for the first time this winter (1,012).

The total is a jump of almost 9% (8.9%) in cases compared with the previous week (929). And the average number of norovirus patients in hospitals per day rose by more than 2.5 times from the start to the end of January (from 361 to 950).

NHS England said the country was facing a "second surge" as cases rose again in February after briefly stabilising at the start of the month.

In a post made to 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." The average daily number of adult hospital beds closed due to norovirus symptoms this week (1,257) is also up more than 8% (8.2%) on last week (1,162) - and has risen by over 190% on the first full week of January (432).

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What is norovirus?

Norovirus, commonly referred to as the winter vomiting bug, is a gastrointestinal condition that triggers vomiting and diarrhoea.

It is caused by a virus that spreads through poo and can spread to others very easily. You can catch norovirus from:

• Close contact with someone with norovirus
• Touching surfaces or objects that have the virus on them, then touching your mouth
• Eating food that's been prepared or handled by someone with norovirus
• Drinking unclean water or infected food

As well as vomiting and diarrhoea, it can also cause a high temperature, a headache, tummy pain, and body aches and pains.

Two-day warning

NHS doctors are now urging the public to help prevent the spread of norovirus to loved ones and colleagues by taking simple steps. This includes good hand hygiene and avoiding schools and places of work until they have been symptom-free for two days.

NHS national medical director, Dr Claire Fuller, said: "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.

"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."