Norovirus cases are at their highest for more than a decade as as health officials warn of a potential second wave hitting those who have already had the virus this winter.
The latest UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data shows norovirus cases continue to rise across the country.
Laboratory confirmed cases in the two weeks to 16 February were almost 30 per cent higher than the previous fortnight and more than double the five-season average for the same two-week period.
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.
Norovirus 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 the virus has peaked this season, the UKHSA said.
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.
While the GII.17 genotype remains dominant, accounting for 59 per cent of cases, its prevalence has dropped from 76 per cent since November. Meanwhile, the GII.4 strain has seen a sharp rise, now representing 29 per cent of cases compared to just 10 per cent three months ago.
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.
Amy Douglas, Lead Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: “Norovirus levels are still exceptionally high and now with multiple genotypes spreading at the same time, people could end up getting infected more than once this season.
“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.
“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.”
The warning comes as the number of beds taken up by patients with the virus nearly 150 per cent higher than last year, new figures reveal today. The total remains close to its record high, with an average of 1,134 patients a day in hospital with norovirus last week – down slightly on the previous week (1,160), but still nearly two and a half times the same period last year (470).
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
Read MoreProfessor Sir Stephen Powis, National Medical Director of NHS England, said: “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.”
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.
“A tough situation is being made even tougher with far too many patients stuck in hospital – almost one in seven – who are well enough to go home but can’t, often due to pressures on social and community care services.
“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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