People are being sent an urgent warning as a devastating virus sweeps throughout the UK.
Cases of norovirus have surged across the country, with hospital admissions hitting a record high for this winter in the past week, the NHS has warned.
The health service today announced that there were ‘more patients in hospitals last week than at any other point so far this winter’, with norovirus to blame.
It said 961 patients a day were admitted to hospital with the illness, often called the winter vomiting bug, a staggering 69% more than this time last winter and the highest number for this week since 2020.
The NHS said: “There were more patients in hospitals last week than at any other point so far this winter, as the number of norovirus cases in hospital continued to rise.
Data published today by the NHS shows that 961 patients a day were in hospital with norovirus last week, up 7% on the week before and 69% higher than the same period last year (570 for the week ending 4 February 2024).”
Now, people are being urged not to go back to work, school or nursery for at least 48 hours after recovering from the virus in order to try to stop the spread.
Amy Douglas, Epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency, said: “Norovirus cases are way above what we would usually see at this time of year and outbreaks in hospitals continue to rise. Just because you’ve had norovirus doesn’t mean you won’t get it again.
“It’s really important that if you have diarrhoea and vomiting, you take steps to avoid passing the infection on. Please avoid visiting people in hospitals and care homes to prevent passing on the infection in these settings.
“Do not return to work, school or nursery until 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped, and don’t prepare food for others in that time either. This is because you can still pass on the virus in the days after you stop being sick.
“Washing your hands with soap and warm water and using bleach-based products to clean surfaces will also help stop infections from spreading. Alcohol gels do not kill norovirus so don’t rely on these alone.
“Norovirus infections can cause dehydration, especially in vulnerable groups such as young children and older or immunocompromised people, so if you do get ill it is important to drink plenty of fluids during that time.”
Professor Julian Redhead, NHS National Clinical Director for Urgent and Emergency Care, said: “Hospitals are continuing to treat hundreds of patients who are ill with the highly infectious and unpleasant norovirus bug, with the rate of cases at the highest level recorded for this time of year since 2020.
“The twin pressures of winter viruses and problems discharging patients means hospitals are close to full – even as more beds have been opened to manage the increased demand.
“While pressures on hospitals remains incredibly high, it’s vital people continue to use NHS services in the normal way – using 111 and 111 online if you need advice and support for health conditions, and only using 999 or attend A&E in life-threatening emergencies.”