Norovirus levels in hospitals in England are 80% higher than the
same period last year, new figures show today as pressure on NHS
services remains high.
New data published today shows that 784 patients a day were in
hospital with norovirus last week (w/e 19 Jan), up from 650 the
previous week. Levels are up almost 80% compared to the same
period last year (438 in 2024), and are the highest seen in
hospitals in any January since 2020.
Flu rates have dropped since their peak but remain almost 2.5
times higher than last year, with 3,833 patients in hospital with
the illness on average each day last week, including 176 in
critical care.
Other winter viruses are adding to the strain, with over a
thousand patients on average (1,071) in hospital with Covid every
day last week. While 29 children on average were in hospital with
RSV each day - a fall from the previous week (51) - but numbers
were still up 91% on last year (15 in 2024).
Amid this increased demand, hospitals remain extremely busy with
96% of adult hospital beds occupied by patients.
Almost one in seven of these (13,710) were last week taken up by
patients who did not need to be in hospital and were well enough
to be discharged – 125 more than the previous week.
Despite the pressure on services, time lost to delays in
ambulance handovers continued to fall to 18,971 hours - down a
third on the week before (29,956 hours) and on the same week last
year (28,712).
More than 29 million flu, Covid and RSV vaccines have been
delivered since autumn and those eligible can still protect
themselves by visiting a COVID-19 walk-in vaccination
site or finding a pharmacy offering the flu
vaccine.
Measures put in place ahead of winter by the NHS included
upgraded 24 hour co-ordination centres, support for frequent
users of A&E services, strengthened same day emergency care
and more care in the community.
Professor Redhead, NHS National Clinical
Director for Urgent and Emergency Care said:
“NHS hospitals have been hit by a surge in
norovirus cases over the last week - with the highest level
recorded since January 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.
“Staff are working incredibly hard to see patients as quickly as
possible, and it is welcome news that flu cases have now peaked.
Patients should continue to use 111 and 111 online if you need
advice and support for health conditions and call 999 or go to
A&E in life-threatening emergencies.”
Health and Social Care Secretary, said:
“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.
“It's welcome that flu rates are starting to decline and
ambulance handovers are improving – but we're not out of the
woods yet.
"If you're eligible, it's not too late to get your flu
vaccination - contact your local pharmacy or GP to protect
yourself this winter."
Norovirus can spread very easily and washing hands
frequently with soap and water is the best way to stop it
spreading.
