Urgent advice issued as horror bug surge means hospitals ‘close to full'

Alsharq Tribune- The UK News

Hospitals have experienced their busiest week yet this winter, with more than 98,000 patients on wards last week, as cases of the winter vomiting bug continued to rise. Some 961 beds were filled by those suffering from norovirus, up 7% from 898 the previous week.

Flu rates have fallen from a peak last month but more than 2,462 patients were still hospitalised with the illness on average each day last week, including 122 in critical care.

Coronavirus accounted for 952 beds, down slightly from 995 the previous week, and 18 children were being treated for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Amy Douglas, an epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency, urged anyone affected by nasty norovirus symptoms to take urgent measures to reduce the risk of passing it on.

She said: "Norovirus cases are way above what we would usually see at this time of year and outbreaks in hospitals continue to rise. Just because you've had norovirus doesn't mean you won't get it again.

"It's really important that if you have diarrhoea and vomiting, you take steps to avoid passing the infection on. Please avoid visiting people in hospitals and care homes to prevent passing on the infection in these settings.

"Do not return to work, school or nursery until 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped and don't prepare food for others in that time either. This is because you can still pass on the virus in the days after you stop being sick."

Washing hands with soap and warm water and using bleach-based products to clean surfaces can also reduce the risk of spreading infection, Ms Douglas said.

She added: "Norovirus infections can cause dehydration, especially in vulnerable groups such as young children and older or immunocompromised people, so if you do get ill it is important to drink plenty of fluids during that time."

Professor Julian Redhead, NHS national clinical director for urgent and emergency care, urged people to continue seeking help in the normal way despite the strain on services.

He added: "Hospitals are continuing to treat hundreds of patients who are ill with the highly infectious and unpleasant norovirus bug, with the rate of cases at the highest level recorded for this time of year since 2020.

"The twin pressures of winter viruses and problems discharging patients means hospitals are close to full - even as more beds have been opened to manage the increased demand.