Vomiting bug norovirus is up 80% compared to same period last year according to NHS hospital data while other winter bugs are circulating at high levels and hospitals remain under pressure
Sickness bug norovirus is on the rise as flu cases drop from their winter peak, but hospitals are still under “significant pressure” with Brits warned “we’re not out of the woods yet”.
People hospitalised due to severe norovirus are up 80% in England compared to the same period last year. On average 784 patients a day were in hospital with the virus in the latest week up to Sunday, an increase from 650 the previous week.
NHS England’s data suggests the vomiting bug is surging in the wider population while flu, coughs and colds are also circulating at historically high levels. Brits have been warned that hospitals are still “extremely busy” and are being urged to continue using GPs, pharmacies and 111 to avoid A&E.
Prof Julian Redhead, NHS director for emergency care, said: “NHS hospitals have been hit by a surge in norovirus cases over the last week with the highest level recorded since January 2020. This along with higher than normal rates of flu and other winter viruses and continued issues in delays in discharging patients means hospitals remain extremely busy with patients.”
Norovirus can spread very easily and washing hands frequently with soap and water is the best way to stop it spreading. Most people including children can be treated at home and it is important to rest and have lots of fluids to avoid dehydration. Patients will usually start to feel better in two to three days. In some very young and elderly people the condition can become serious and require hospitalisation.
Flu rates have dropped since their peak but remain almost two-and-a-half times higher than last year, with 3,833 patients in hospital with the illness on average each day last week, including 176 in critical care. Prof Redhead added: “Staff are working incredibly hard to see patients as quickly as possible, and it is welcome news that flu cases have now peaked. Patients should continue to use 111 and 111 online if you need advice and support for health conditions and call 999 or go to A&E in life-threatening emergencies.”
Other winter viruses are seeing people fall seriously unwell with over a thousand patients on average were in hospital with Covid-19 every day last week. While 29 children on average were in hospital with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) each day, a fall from the previous week, – but numbers were still up 91% on last year.
Bed occupancy remains dangerously high with 96% of adult hospital beds occupied by patients last week. One in seven of these were last week taken up by patients medically fit for discharge but with nowhere safe for them to go to manage their ongoing health issues, such as social care.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: “Despite the work we did to end the strikes and roll out the new RSV vaccine, hospitals up and down the country are still facing significant pressure and patients continue to face unacceptable levels of care this winter. It’s welcome that flu rates are starting to decline and ambulance handovers are improving – but we’re not out of the woods yet.
“If you’re eligible, it’s not too late to get your flu vaccination – contact your local pharmacy or GP to protect yourself this winter.”
