Health chiefs have warned the NHS is “still in the thick of winter” with more than 2,700 patients in hospital with flu and a 57% rise in norovirus cases last week. NHS data for England shows 567 patients were being treated in hospital for the winter vomiting bug this week, up from 361 last week. The update came after at least 10 NHS trusts declared critical incidents as they struggled with winter pressures. The measures allow staff to take urgent steps to create capacity and protect patient safety.
Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS national medical director, said: “While it’s positive that the number of flu cases in hospital is falling, this comes after a rise following the festive period — leaving bed occupancy very high at 94.1%, so it is clear we are still in the thick of winter.” Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes inflammation of the stomach and intestines.
The NHS website lists seven possible symptoms of norovirus. The main symptoms usually start suddenly and can include feeling sick, being sick and diarrhoea.
Other common symptoms include a high temperature, a headache, tummy pain, and body aches and pains.
Recommended treatment for norovirus includes staying home and getting plenty of rest, drinking lots of fluids and eating when you feel able to.
Norovirus can be spread through close contact with an infected person or touching contaminated food, water or surfaces.
Washing hands with soap and water and washing contaminated clothing or bedding at 60C can help to prevent infection spreading.
Sufferers are also advised not to go to school, nursery or work until at least 48 hours after their last bout of vomiting or diarrhoea.
Meanwhile, the NHS saw the highest ever number of ambulance incidents in December, with more than 846,000 attendances.
Demand at A&Es remained high as winter pressures took hold but 73.8% of patients were seen within the four-hour A&E target — 50,000 higher than a year earlier.