England’s top doctor says ‘winter is not over for us’ as the NHS struggles with norovirus, flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and the UK Health Security Agency issues a warning
Hospitals are still dangerously full due to cold, flu and sickness bugs despite the recent sunny weather.
England’s top doctor Sir Stephen Powis said 44,000 bed days were lost to the vomiting bug norovirus in February alone. The UK Health Security agency has warned families about people feeling unwell preparing food for others as this is a major way the virus is spreading.
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS England’s Medical Director, said: “Despite the sunnier weather this week showing some early signs of Spring, these latest figures show winter is certainly not over for NHS staff who are continuing to work tirelessly to treat thousands of patients with norovirus and other nasty winter viruses each day.
“This is adding to already incredibly pressured bed occupancy levels and with flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and staff absences all up on last year, we are certainly not out of the woods yet. To help stop the spread of norovirus it is important to remember to wash your hands frequently with soap and water, and if you’re unwell to 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.”
There was a slight increase in hospital bed occupancy with 95.6% of adult beds taken up. There was an average of 97,229 patients in hospital each day last week – up 1,200 when compared to the same week last year.
The number of people in hospital in England with norovirus fell slightly last week but remains high. An average of 1,094 hospital beds were filled each day last week by patients with diarrhoea and vomiting or norovirus-like symptoms, down 4% from 1,134 the previous week and 6% below the record high of 1,160 a fortnight ago.
Norovirus levels continue to be higher than at this point 12 months ago, when an average of 470 beds were filled with patients with symptoms, and also two years ago (568 patients).
Gauri Godbole, deputy director for gastrointestinal Infections at the UK Health Security Agency, said: “Norovirus levels remain very high for this time of year. We are seeing the biggest impacts in health and social care settings, such as hospitals and care homes. If you have diarrhoea and vomiting, 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 during this time.
“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.”
An average of 1,546 flu patients were in beds each day last week, including 74 in critical care. This is down 7% from 1,656 the previous week, when 80 were in critical care. The total is higher than at this stage in 2024 (1,333) and two years ago (430).
There was an average of 1,101 patients in hospital with Covid-19 each day – a slight increase from last week (1,027).
It comes as tributes poured in to Sir Stephen Powis as he announced he will stand down in the summer. Sir Stephen is the most senior doctor in the NHS in England and became well known during the Covid-19 pandemic, regularly appearing at Downing Street press conferences.
He also witnessed the delivery of the first approved Covid-19 vaccine in the world to be administered outside of a clinical trial. The jab was administered in the UK to grandmother Maggie Keenan on December 8, 2020.
Professor Powis said: “My time in post has been dominated by the pandemic and its ongoing impact – I will forever be humbled by the extraordinary work of staff throughout the NHS to the greatest health emergency in a century.”
Sir Stephen, 64, has been doing the job for seven years and handed in his resignation in January. It is understood his decision is not related to other changes at NHS England – last week its chief executive, Amanda Pritchard, announced she is leaving her job.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: “Steve has provided outstanding clinical leadership to the NHS over the last seven years, including during the biggest health emergency our country has faced in modern history. His knowledge, professionalism, and guidance helped the NHS rise to the challenges created by the pandemic.”