The number of patients in hospital in England with the norovirus vomiting bug has reached a record high, new figures show.
NHS England said hospitals had been hit by a “storm of norovirus infections”, with staff working “tirelessly” to treat the bug.
According to the latest NHS data, 1,160 hospital beds on average were filled daily last week with patients displaying norovirus-like symptoms, including diarrhoea and vomiting.
This is an increase of 22% compared to the week before, with 948 people in hospital each day on average with the virus.
Current norovirus levels are higher compared to this point 12 months ago – when an average of 509 beds were filled with patients experiencing symptoms.
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, national medical director of NHS England, said: “It is concerning to see the number of patients with norovirus hit an all-time high and there is no let up for hospital staff who are working tirelessly to treat more than a thousand patients each day with the horrible bug, on top of other winter viruses.”
Sir Stephen warned that “hospitals continue to run at near capacity”, with additional pressure from almost one in seven beds being taken up by patients “who don’t need to be in hospital”.
Figures show an average of 13,767 hospital beds per day were filled last week with patients who were fit to be discharged.
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Norovirus usually gets better in around two days – and most patients can often take care of themselves at home.
However, some, including those with weakened immune systems, young children and the elderly, are at risk of suffering more serious and prolonged illness.
Amy Douglas, lead epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said: “Norovirus cases are still exceptionally high and continue to rise, though we are hopeful that the school half-term provides a break.”
Ms Douglas stressed the importance of washing your hands with warm soapy water to stop the infection from spreading – adding that alcohol gels do not kill norovirus.
She also advised that those with the bug should clean their surfaces with bleach-based products.
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Meanwhile, flu levels in England’s hospitals have fallen for the sixth week in a row.
Last week, there were on average around 1,755 flu patients in hospital beds each day – including 87 in critical care.
This is a 14% decrease from the previous week – with 2,039 patients in beds, and 96 individuals receiving critical care.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: “Today’s data shows the NHS is continuing to grapple with winter pressures across the country and I want to thank all the NHS staff working tirelessly in difficult conditions.”
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