NHS issues norovirus warning as hospital cases soar by 20% in a fortnight – 6 signs you need urgent care

NOROVIRUS hospital cases soared by a fifth in a fortnight, official figures show.

The number of people in English hospitals with symptoms of the winter vomiting bug jumped to 452 last week, according to NHS data.

GettyNorovirus is a highly contagious stomach bug that causes vomiting and diarrhoea[/caption]

It was up by 20 per cent from 377 in a fortnight, and nearly a third higher than this time last year, when there were 344.

There were also an average 3,949 patients with Covid, up 22 per cent on 3,248 one month ago.

However, it was down on the numbers seen around Christmas and flu hospitalisations also fell for the first time this winter.

Professor Sir Stephen Powis, of the NHS, said: “These figures show this continues to be a challenging winter.

“Our staff are facing a combination of considerable pressures including winter viruses, high bed occupancy and the knock-on effects from strikes.

“This week’s cold snap could see a jump in the number of people needing care.”

Norovirus is a highly contagious stomach bug that causes vomiting and diarrhoea and is particularly prevalent during the colder months.

It can also cause aching arms and legs, a high temperature, abdominal pain and a headache, according to the NHS.

The virus spreads easily through contact with someone who has the virus or with contaminated surfaces or foods.

This makes nurseries, schools, workplaces, hospitals, care homes, cruise ships, and family homes over Christmas perfect breeding grounds.

The unpleasant symptoms usually clear in two days, but can lead to serious dehydration, especially among the very young, the elderly or those with weakened immune systems.

Experts fear the current freezing temperatures across Britain could add to the surge in cases.

The NHS figures show the number of hospital cases was up 7 per cent week-on-week from 423 beds but below the average of 566 beds in the week to December 17.

There was an average of 3,949 hospital patients testing positive for Covid-19 each day in the week to January 14.

This is down 7 per cent from the previous week’s total of 4,235, which was the highest so far this winter.

The figures also show an average of 1,416 patients were in hospital each day last week with flu, including 81 in critical care beds.

The total is down 9 per cent from 1,548 in the previous week, which was also the highest so far this season.

Levels are well below those seen last winter, when more than 5,000 people were in hospital with the virus and the UK was in the middle of its worst flu outbreak for a decade.

Sir Julian Hartley, of NHS Providers said: “The severe cold snap and winter bugs, including norovirus and Covid-19, continue to take their toll, piling the pressure on hospital beds and services across the NHS.

“Ongoing issues with delayed discharges and worrying levels of staff absences are making a tough situation tougher as trusts strive to get services back on track in the aftermath of the longest ever strike by junior doctors.

“In the face of these challenges, trust leaders and their teams are doing everything they can to treat patients as quickly and as safely as possible.”