Norovirus cases at their highest since 2014 as UKHSA warns of second wave ...Middle East

The latest UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data shows norovirus cases continue to rise across the country.

Cases are at the highest levels since the agency began reporting data this way in 2014. The impact has been particularly severe in hospitals and care homes, with cases highest among people aged 65 and over.

High norovirus cases this winter have been associated with a recently emerged genotype called GII.17. However, the latest data shows that a different, but commonly seen genotype – GII.4 – is now increasing. Prior to the emergence of GII.17, GII.4 is the genotype that most commonly detected and increased each winter.

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. However, at present there is no indication that either GII.17 or GII.4 leads to more severe illness.

“We are seeing the biggest impacts in health and social care settings, such as hospitals and care homes. Symptoms of norovirus can be more severe in older adults, young children and those who are immunocompromised.

“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.”

The number of patients with Covid rose slightly on the week before – up 4 per cent to 1,027 from 984. But the number of flu cases in hospital continues to fall with an average 1,656 patients in beds with flu last week, including 80 in critical care – down 5.7 per cent on the week before (1,755).

The soaring numbers behind the 'quad-demic' of Covid, RSV, flu and norovirus cases

Saffron Cordery, the interim chief executive of NHS Providers, said: “NHS wards are full to the brim with barely any spare beds. It’s been another tough week for the NHS with nasty bugs including norovirus and Covid-19 continuing to hit health services hard.

“Pressure on emergency services continues to be a huge worry for trust leaders, with a worrying increase in staff time lost to ambulance handover delays last week. We need to do everything we can to get ambulance services back on the road so they can get to the sickest patients, fast.”

This story is being updated.

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