Norovirus levels in UK hospitals 80% higher than last year, data shows

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - The pressure on hospitals remains high, with Norovirus levels in England 80% higher than the same period last year, according to new figures released on Thursday.

Britain's National Health Service (NHS) data shows that 784 patients per day were admitted to hospitals with norovirus, up from 650 in the week before.

In a statement, the NHS warned that levels are up almost 80% compared to the same period last year, with 438 in 2024, and are the highest seen in hospitals in any January since 2020.

Norovirus, also known as the "winter vomiting bug," is a stomach virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea.

Although flu rates have dropped since their peak, they are still nearly 2.5 times higher than last year, with an average of 3,833 patients in hospitals with the illness per day last week, including 176 in critical care, it noted.

"Amid this increased demand, hospitals remain extremely busy with 96% of adult hospital beds occupied by patients," said the NHS statement.

Julian Redhead, NHS national clinical director for Urgent and Emergency Care, said hospitals have seen a surge in norovirus cases in the last week, the highest level recorded in January since 2020.

"This, along with higher than normal rates of flu and other winter viruses—and continued issues in delays in discharging patients—means hospitals remain extremely busy with patients," he noted.

"Despite the work we did to end the strikes and roll out the new RSV vaccine, hospitals up and down the country are still facing significant pressure, and patients continue to face unacceptable levels of care this winter," Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said in the statement.