‘Do not visit’ hospitals or care homes if you experience symptoms, the NHS says.
Brits have been urged to look out for three key symptoms of a dreaded winter bug that is “surging” in hospitals. An update from the NHS revealed that norovirus levels are currently 80 percent higher than they were this time last year.
New data shows that 784 patients a day were in hospital with norovirus last week (week ending 19 January 2025). That is up from 650 the previous week. Levels are the highest seen in hospitals in any January since 2020.
As a result of these pressures, hospitals across the country remain “extremely busy” with 96 percent of adult hospital beds occupied by patients. Almost one in seven of these (13,710) were taken up by patients who did not need to be in hospital and were well enough to be discharged, the NHS reported.
It is not just norovirus that is contributing to these pressures. Cases of flu, Covid and RSV remain high. 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.
There were more than a thousand patients on average (1,071) in hospital with COVID-19 every day last week. A total of 29 children on average were in hospital with RSV each day – a fall from the previous week but up 91 percent compared to the same time last year.
Professor Julian Redhead, NHS national clinical director for urgent and emergency care, said: “NHS hospitals have been hit by a surge in norovirus cases over the last week – with the highest level recorded in any January since 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.
“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.”
Symptoms
With this in mind it is important to look out for any symptoms of norovirus. Also known as the winter vomiting bug, these are the three main signs to spot:
- Feeling sick (nausea)
- Diarrhoea
- Being sick (vomiting).
However, the NHS warns that you could also experience a high temperature, headache, and aching arms and legs. Symptoms typically start suddenly within one to two days of being infected.
It is a highly contagious infection. 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.
The NHS advises: “Washing your hands frequently with soap and water is the best way to stop it spreading. Alcohol hand gels do not kill norovirus.”
If you experience symptoms you should therefore stay off school or work until you have not been sick or had diarrhoea for at least two days. This is when you’re most infectious. “Do not visit hospitals or care homes during this time,” the NHS says.
Health and Social Care secretary, Wes Streeting, added: “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.”
