Number of norovirus patients in English hospitals hits record high
Guardian1 day ago
England Faces Record-Breaking Surge in Norovirus Cases
Above:Â Ambulances from both privately owned companies and the London Ambulance Service waiting in line outside the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel on Jan. 31, 2025 in London, UK. Â Image copyright:Â Mike Kemp/Contributor/In Pictures via Getty Images
The Facts
Hospital cases of norovirus in England have reached a record high, with 1,160 patients hospitalized per day last week, marking a 22% increase from the previous week and more than double the 509 cases recorded during the same period last year.
The surge has placed additional strain on the NHS, with hospitals running at 95.4% capacity and nearly one in seven beds occupied by patients who are medically fit for discharge but cannot leave due to social care constraints.
The North East and Yorkshire region has been hit hardest, with 3,769 hospital beds either occupied or closed due to norovirus symptoms, which is more than four times the level seen in London.
The Spin
Narrative A
The record-high norovirus cases reflect a return to pre-pandemic behaviors, with surveys showing decreased hand hygiene practices and increased presenteeism in workplaces, creating perfect conditions for virus transmission. The current situation stems from people becoming less vigilant about infection prevention measures.
Narrative B
The unprecedented surge is primarily a systemic issue, with hospitals running at dangerously high capacity levels due to discharge delays and insufficient social care resources. The crisis is exacerbated by multiple winter viruses stretching healthcare resources beyond their limits.
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