Overview
- NHS figures show an average of 567 hospital beds a day were occupied last week by patients with diarrhoea and vomiting, a 57% week-on-week increase.
- UKHSA reports that cases to January 4 were within expected seasonal ranges, with current reports highest among people aged 65 and over.
- People with symptoms are advised to stay home, avoid hospitals and care homes, and return to school or work only after 48 hours symptom-free.
- Soap-and-water handwashing is advised because alcohol hand gels do not inactivate norovirus, and surfaces should be cleaned with properly diluted bleach or virucidal disinfectants.
- Symptoms typically begin suddenly with nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea; most people recover in 2–3 days, hydration is the priority, and reinfection is possible due to multiple circulating strains.