Overview
- NHS figures show an average of 1,012 patients a day with norovirus-like symptoms in the week to February 15, the highest this winter and up 8.9% from 929 the previous week after a brief early-February plateau.
- Operational pressures have intensified, with an average of 1,257 adult hospital beds closed due to norovirus symptoms this week, more than 8% higher than last week.
- Stockport NHS Foundation Trust suspended all visiting at Stepping Hill Hospital after ward outbreaks, allowing limited exceptions and planning a review on February 20, with Royal Bolton recently introducing similar restrictions.
- UKHSA reported 981 positive lab detections in the two weeks to February 15, around 38% above the long-term average, alongside increased outbreaks in hospital settings.
- Hospitals have increased cleaning, early case identification and targeted testing, and the public is urged to use soap-and-water hand-washing and to avoid schools, workplaces, hospitals and care homes until 48 hours symptom-free, as alcohol gels do not reliably kill norovirus.