BRITS have been urged to stay away from hospitals as wards remain riddled with cases of a winter bug that causes violent bouts of vomiting and diarrhoea.
Norovirus, known as the ‘wintervomiting bug', is more prevalent during the colder winter months when people are staying indoors, which helps the bug spread.
But this year's wave has stayed “stubbornly high” well into spring, health chiefs say, with new data revealing levels of the virus in hospitals inEnglandare 62 per cent higher than the same period last year.
New figures published by theNHStoday also show 903patients a day were in hospital with norovirus last week (March 23), up from 899the previous week.
And levels in hospitals are the highest they’ve ever been at the start of Spring, according to data – well above the equivalent total at this stage in 2024 (556) and 2023 (557).
Norovirus can be very unpleasant, but it usually clears up within two days. Most people can recover at home with rest and plenty of fluids
However, severe dehydration from constant vomiting and diarrhoea can land people in hospital – especially the very young, elderly, or those with a weakened immune system.
The virus is highly contagious, making outbreaks common in semi-closed environments like hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and nurseries
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS England national medical director, said: “While the worst of winter is no doubt over for NHS staff, virus rates in our hospitals remain stubbornly high and we are still feeling the pressure – the green shoots of spring for the NHS aren't showing just yet.
“Hospitals continue to run at near capacity, while the added pressure from almost one in seven beds taken up by patients who don’t need to be in hospital hasn’t relented for 12 weeks and counting.
“It’s vital that the public continue to use 999 and A&E in life-threatening emergencies and use NHS 111 – and 111 online – if you need advice and support for other conditions”;
The latest NHS figures also show an average of 13,388 hospital beds per day were filled last week in England with patients who were fit to be discharged.
This is down from 13,643 the previous week.
The number peaked this winter at 14,087 in early February.
Meanwhile, 27.3 per cent of patients arriving by ambulance at hospitals last week waited at least 30 minutes to be handed over to A&E teams.
This is broadly unchanged from 27.4 per cent the previous week and is well below the winter peak of 42.2 per cent at the start of January.
Some 8.9 per cent of ambulance handovers last week were delayed by more than an hour – again, broadly unchanged week-on-week (9.0 per cent) and some way below the winter peak (21.3 per cent).
When to call 111 and 999 for norovirus
NOROVIRUS usually goes away on its own after a couple of days and doesn't require medical attention.
But you might need to speak to a doctor if:
- You're worried about your baby who is younger than 12 months
- Your child stops breast or bottle feeding while they're ill
- You think your child under five might be dehydrated – signs could include fewer wet nappies
- You've used rehydration sachets but still have signs of dehydration
- You or your child keep being sick and can't keep fluids down
- You or your child have bloody diarrhoea or start bleeding from the bottom
- You or your child have diarrhoea for more than seven days or are vomiting for more than two days
And if you spot any of the following signs, it's vital to seek urgent care:
- Blood in your vomit
- Vomit that looks like ground coffee
- Green vomit (adults) or yellow-green vomit (children)
- A stiff neck
- Pain when looking at bright lights
- A sudden, severe headache or stomach ache
Source: NHS
