The number of people in hospital in England with norovirus remains close to record levels, as health chiefs warned that winter is “certainly not over” for the NHS.
An average of 1,094 hospital beds were filled each day last week by patients with diarrhoea and vomiting or norovirus-like symptoms.
This is down slightly by 4% from 1,134 the previous week and is just 6% below the record high of 1,160 a fortnight earlier.
Norovirus levels continue to be sharply higher than at this point 12 months ago, when an average of 470 beds were filled with patients with symptoms, and in 2023 (568 patients).
Norovirus patients in hospitals in England (PA Graphics)
While flu levels in hospitals are continuing to fall, they also remain higher than at this point in previous years.
An average of 1,546 flu patients were in beds each day last week, including 74 in critical care.
This is down 7% from 1,656 the previous week, when 80 were in critical care.
The total is higher than at this stage in 2024 (1,333) and two years ago (430).
The figures have been published in the latest weekly snapshot of the performance of NHS hospitals in England.
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS England national medical director, 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.”
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting thanked NHS staff for their “tireless work” in the face of winter pressures, adding: “While the latest figures point to slight easing in certain areas, the health service remains under considerable strain.
“To ease the burden of seasonal pressures this year, we have delivered more than 29 million vaccinations and ended the damaging strikes, keeping doctors on the front line, rather than the picket line.”