Overview

• UKHSA advises people to stay home for 48 hours after symptoms stop because individuals can still spread norovirus during this period
• Between March 31 and April 27, England recorded 14,959 laboratory reports of norovirus, more than double the five-year average of 6,446
• Norovirus outbreaks in hospitals are 43.3% higher than the five-season average, adding strain on NHS facilities
• The virus causes sudden vomiting, diarrhoea and other flu-like symptoms and spreads via contaminated food, surfaces and close contact
• UKHSA and NHS stress hand washing with soap and water only, warning that alcohol-based sanitisers do not eliminate norovirus