Norovirus cases at highest level for five years this winter
Data from Public Health England (PHE) shows that 1,704 cases of norovirus in England have been confirmed by laboratory testing so far this season, which is 9% higher than the average for the same period over the past five years.
The figure is also 55% higher than the same period last year, although last winter saw unusually low levels of the illness.
Overall, in the last two weeks of November, there were 14 outbreaks of norovirus in hospitals, all of which led to ward or bay closures.
In total this season, there have been 105 hospital outbreaks reported.
The number of laboratory reports of the bug rotavirus this season is 938, which is also 9% higher than the average for the same period from 2003 to 2013.
Julia Scott, chief executive of the College of Occupational Therapists, said: “The rise in norovirus infections highlighted in today’s figures means that it is vital the NHS does everything it can to prevent unnecessary admissions to hospital and to ensure that patients can go home as soon as they are medically fit.
“Delayed discharges increase the chance that someone who could go home may contract norovirus and become sicker than they were on admission.”
Norovirus, which causes diarrhoea and vomiting, is one of the most common stomach bugs in the UK and spreads easily.
It is also known as the “winter vomiting bug” because it is more common in winter, although it can be caught at any time of the year. Norovirus can be very unpleasant but usually clears up by itself in a few days.
Nick Phin, deputy director of the National Infection Service at PHE, said: “Norovirus is a common cause of illness during winter. Exactly when the peak in activity occurs will be different each winter but levels seen so far this year are not unexpected compared with the previous five years.”
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