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Everything we know as NHS warns UK is facing ‘second surge’ of norovirus
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It comes following a recent outbreak of the bug earlier this month
UK Faces ‘second surge’ of norovirus amid winter pressures
- The NHS has warned that the UK is facing a ‘second surge’ of norovirus as hospital cases hit their highest level this winter.
- Over 1,000 patients a day are now being treated for the highly contagious ‘winter vomiting bug’, marking a jump of almost nine per cent from the previous week. The figures represent more than a 2.5-fold increase since the start of January.
- Norovirus spreads quickly and causes vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, stomach cramps and aching limbs. Symptoms typically last one to two days.
- After briefly stabilising in early February, cases have been rising again for two consecutive weeks, prompting fears of a second surge.
- NHS national medical director Dr Claire Fuller said: ‘It’s vital that we do all we can to avoid a second surge in norovirus at a time when the NHS remains flat out coping with winter pressures.’
- Doctors are urging people to stay home until they’ve been symptom-free for at least two days. Good hand hygiene and avoiding schools, workplaces and care homes when ill are crucial to preventing spread.
- Hospitals are also struggling with over 1,250 beds closed daily due to norovirus symptoms, up more than 190 per cent since early January.
- READ THE FULL STORY: NHS warns UK is facing ‘second surge’ of contagious winter bug
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