The NHS has issued a warning as hospital admissions for an unpleasant winter bug have "doubled" within just one month. NHS England has cautioned that norovirus cases in hospitals have reached their "highest level" this winter.

Currently, anaverage of 1,012 patients are in hospital with norovirus each day. Figures released today (19 February) reveal that the average daily number of hospital patients with norovirus has exceeded 1,000 for the first time this winter (1,012).

This represents an increase of nearly nine per cent (8.9 per cent) compared with the previous week (929). Throughout January, the average number of norovirus patients in hospitals per day increased by more than 2.5 times (from 361 to 950).

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NHS England has stated that the country is experiencing a "second surge", with cases climbing again in February following a brief plateau at the month's beginning. In a statement posted on social media platform X, NHS England said: "Norovirus cases in NHS hospitals have risen to their highest level so far this winter, with an average of 1,012 patients in hospital each day.

"These numbers have more than doubled since early January and have risen for the second week in a row." The average daily number of adult hospital beds closed due to norovirus symptoms this week (1,257) has also increased by more than eight per cent (8.2 per cent) compared with last week (1,162) – representing a rise of over 190 per cent since the first complete week of January (432).

Norovirus, often known as the winter vomiting bug, is a stomach illness that causes vomiting and diarrhoea. The condition is caused by a virus transmitted through faeces and can easily pass from person to person. You can contract norovirus through:

• Close contact with an infected individual


• Touching contaminated surfaces or objects before touching your mouth


• Consuming food prepared or handled by someone carrying norovirus


• Drinking contaminated water or eating infected food

Alongside vomiting and diarrhoea, sufferers may also develop a high temperature, headache, abdominal pain, and general body aches.

NHS doctors are now appealing to the public to help stop norovirus spreading to family members and work colleagues by following straightforward measures. These include maintaining proper hand hygiene and staying away from schools and workplaces until symptoms have cleared for at least two days.

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.

"The public has a huge role to play in stopping the spread of this bug by taking some simple precautions like good hand hygiene with regular handwashing with soap and water.

"If you have symptoms, stay home, rest and drink fluids, and please don't go to places like, schools, workplaces, hospitals and care homes until you have been symptom free-for at least two days.

"If you have any concerns about norovirus symptoms, local pharmacies can provide support and advice and remedies, or please contact 111 or use 111 Online."