Norovirus cases have surged by 25 per cent in the UK over the past month, with health officials now warning of a "potential second wave" of the winter vomiting bug.
Fresh figures show that more than 1,130 patients a day were in hospital in England with norovirus last week, compared to 898 logged a month ago.
The highly contagious virus, which kills up to 80 Britons annually, is now at levels more than two-and-a-half times higher than the same period last year.
Officials caution that even those who have already been infected this winter may still be at risk again.
Norovirus cases have surged by 25 per cent in the UK over the past month, with health officials now warning of a "potential second wave" of the winter vomiting bug
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Hospital data reveals that an average of 1,134 patients a day were in hospital with norovirus last week.
This marks a slight decrease from the record high of 1,160 in the previous week.
However, current levels remain 2.5 times higher than the same point 12 months ago, when an average of 470 beds were filled by patients with diarrhoea and vomiting or norovirus-like symptoms.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported that laboratory confirmed cases of the vomiting bug are at the highest levels since they began reporting data this way in 2014.
Despite the slight dip in cases, health officials have warned of a "potential second norovirus wave" across the UK.
The NHS remains alarmingly close to capacity with 95.3 per cent of adult hospital beds occupied.
Experts note that 92 per cent is the threshold at which staff performance typically drops.
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"Cases usually start to decline around this time of year as the weather gets warmer, but it is too soon to conclude whether or not norovirus has peaked this season," the UKHSA said.
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS England's national medical director, said: "While it is good news norovirus cases dropped, they remain extremely close to the all-time high reported last week so we can be under no illusions about the continued pressure staff are still facing."
"Hospitals remain close to capacity in part because of seasonal illnesses, and it is vital that people do everything they can to reduce the spread of what can be a deeply unpleasant illness."
He advised washing hands frequently with soap and water and avoiding mixing with others until 48 hours after symptoms have stopped.
The data also revealed a concerning shift in virus variants. A different but commonly seen norovirus variant, GII.4, is now on the rise.
This variant now represents 29 per cent of all cases compared to just 10 per cent three months ago.
Fresh figures show that more than 1,130 patients a day were in hospital in England with norovirus last week, compared to 898 logged a month ago
GETTYBy comparison, the GII.17 variant which dominated in November with 76 per cent of cases, now accounts for around 59 per cent.
The UKHSA noted that "at present there is no indication that either GII.17 or GII.4 leads to more severe illness."
"This means that people who have already had norovirus this season may catch it again, as having one genotype does not fully protect against the other," the UKHSA warned.
The bug is typically spread through close contact with infected individuals, by touching contaminated surfaces, or by consuming food handled by someone with the virus.
For most people, the illness will clear up on its own without medical intervention.
However, vulnerable groups including the elderly, young children and the immunocompromised face greater risks.
