Norovirus cases in England’s hospitals hit highest level this winter
Norovirus cases in England’s hospitals hit highest level this winter
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The number of people suffering norovirus in England’s hospitals is at its highest level this winter. New data from NHS England shows an average of 898 hospital beds were filled each day last week by patients with diarrhoea and vomiting or norovirus-like symptoms, up 15% from 784 the previous week.
The figure had previously peaked at 837 in early December. Norovirus levels are higher than at this point 12 months ago, when an average of 688 beds were filled with patients with symptoms, and also two years ago (395 patients). Meanwhile, flu levels in hospitals in England have fallen for the third week in a row.
An average of 3,019 flu patients were in beds each day last week, including 148 in critical care. This is down 21% from 3,833 the previous week, when 176 were in critical care. The total is still higher than this point last winter (2,226) and also this stage two years ago (1,291).
The figures have been published in the latest weekly snapshot of the performance of hospitals in England, and show that Covid continues to fall. NHS England said pressure on hospital capacity remained high last week with an average of 96% adult beds occupied and a total of 97,567 patients in hospital each day.
There was also an average of 13,426 patients in hospital each day despite being medically fit for discharge, taking up more than one in seven available beds. Professor Julian Redhead, national clinical director for urgent and emergency care, said: “It is welcome news that the number of patients in hospital with Covid and flu continued to fall last week, however the worrying surge in norovirus cases – now at their highest level so far this winter – means there is no let up for NHS staff.
