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Norovirus Hits New Winter High in England Hospitals as NHS Warns of Sustained Pressure

Health officials urge soap-and-water handwashing with 48-hour isolation after symptoms to curb spread.

Overview

  • An average of 950 beds a day were occupied by patients with diarrhoea, vomiting or norovirus-like symptoms in the week to January 25, up 15% from the previous week.
  • More than 1,100 adult beds a day were closed or in use for infection control or treatment related to norovirus, adding to capacity constraints.
  • Flu hospitalisations fell to a daily average of 1,987 and Covid-19 patients averaged 647, with ambulance handover times improving week on week.
  • UKHSA reports norovirus activity 73.8% above the five-season average for January 12–25, with high levels in over‑65s and rising cases in under‑fives, plus more hospital outbreaks.
  • Public Health Scotland confirmed 60 cases in the week to January 25, more than double the same week last year, while officials note lab reports capture only a fraction of community infections.