Norovirus infections have reached their highest level this winter as cases of the vomiting bug spread – and are almost double what they were this time last year
The number of people in hospital in England with norovirus have hit their highest level this winter, new NHS figures show.
Health officials say this season has seen a larger than usual number of hospital patients with norovirus, with cases almost double what they were this time last year. An average of 961 hospital beds were filled each day last week by patients with diarrhoea and vomiting or norovirus-like symptoms, up 7% from 898 the previous week, which had been the highest so far this season. Norovirus levels also remain higher than at this point 12 months ago, when an average of 570 beds were filled with patients with symptoms, and also two years ago (750 patients).
Norovirus is one of the most common causes of gastroenteritis, an infection which typically results in diarrhoea and or vomiting. Most people make a full recovery within a couple of days, though infection can be more serious for the very young and elderly and can sometimes require hospital treatment. It is easily transmitted through close contact with infected individuals, and can also be transmitted through food and surfaces.
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