Britons should isolate for two days after a fresh bout of norovirus spreads around the country, England's top doctor has claimed.
Recent NHS data has revealed the virus is continuing to spread across England, with an average of 1,094 patients in hospital with the illness per day last week.
The figure represents only a six per cent drop from the record high of 1,160 two weeks earlier.
It also shows the number of patients hospitalised by the illness has more than doubled compared to the same period last year.
Norovirus test
GETTYNational Medical Director of NHS England, Professor Sir Stephen Powis, said: “To help stop the spread of norovirus it is important to remember to wash your hands frequently with soap and water, and if you’re unwell to avoid mixing with other people until you have not had symptoms for two days.”
The warning comes a week after the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) suggested the UK could be at risk of experiencing a second wave of norovirus, as laboratory levels are at the highest level since 2014.
Norovirus, also called the winter vomiting bug, is a stomach bug which causes vomiting and diarrhoea.
Cases first peaked at the end of January, when an average of 898 people were in hospital with the virus per day.
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Norovirus is highly contagiousPAProfessor Powis said: “Despite the sunnier weather this week showing some early signs of spring, these latest figures show winter is certainly not over for NHS staff who are continuing to work tirelessly to treat thousands of patients with norovirus and other nasty winter viruses each day.
“Last month the NHS lost almost 44,000 bed days to norovirus, adding to already incredibly pressured bed occupancy levels and with flu, RSV and staff absences all up on last year, we are certainly not out of the woods yet”, Sir Stephen said.
“Hospitals continue to run at near capacity, with added pressure from almost one in seven beds taken up by patients who don’t need to be in hospital.”
He also reminded the public to continue using 999 and A&E for life-threatening emergencies and to use NHS 111- and 111 online- for support for other incidents and conditions.
The main symptoms of norovirus include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoeaGETTYPowis’s warning comes after the renal medicine consultant announced that he will stand down from his role in July, by which point he will have spent over seven years in the post.
Gauri Godbole, Deputy Director for Gastrointestinal Infections at UKHSA, said: “Norovirus levels remain very high for this time of year.
“We are seeing the biggest impacts in health and social care settings, such as hospitals and care homes.
“If you have diarrhoea and vomiting, please do not visit hospitals and care homes or return to work, school or nursery until 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped and don’t prepare food for others, as you can still pass on the virus during this time.
“Alcohol gels do not kill norovirus. Wash your hands with soapy warm water and clean surfaces with bleach-based products where possible to help stop infections from spreading.”
