Norovirus levels in England remain “very high” with hospital cases more than double the number for this point last year, new figures show.
Most reported cases are among people aged 65 and over, but outbreaks in schools are running above the five-year average and are particularly affecting very young children. Health experts warned the NHS is still feeling the impact of winter viruses, with Covid-19 admissions adding to demand for beds, though flu numbers are continuing to fall.
An average of 551 adult hospital beds in England were occupied last week by patients with diarrhoea and vomiting or norovirus-like symptoms, according to NHS data. This is broadly unchanged from 547 in the previous week, but is more than double the average of 264 at this stage in 2022.
