The NHS has sounded the alarm after it emerged that an average of over a thousand adult hospital beds were put out of service daily last week due to diarrhoea and vomiting, with conditions such as norovirus being the culprit. In an attempt to contain the highly infectious bug, people are being prompted to “please stay at home for 48 hours” if they’re displaying any signs of the virus.
The figures were broadcast in a Tweet from the official NHS X account, which read: “On average, over 1,000 adult beds were closed each day across NHS hospitals last week due to diarrhoea and vomiting, caused by bugs such as norovirus. If you have symptoms, please stay at home for 48 hours until they’ve gone.”
A further piece of advice shared on social media stated: “Our website can help you; check if you have norovirus, find out how to treat yourself, learn how to stop it spreading, and know when to seek advice.”
An average of 837 hospital beds in England were filled each day last week by patients with diarrhoea and vomiting or norovirus-like symptoms, up from 756 the previous week and higher than the equivalent figure at this point in 2023 (511) and 2022 (390).
Norovirus, often referred to as the “winter vomiting bug”, commonly leads to uncomfortable conditions though it typically resolves itself within two days.
Key indications of the illness include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea, with potential additional symptoms such as a fever, headaches, and body aches occurring as well. Symptoms generally develop one to two days following exposure and those affected by the virus can often manage their recovery at home, stressing the importance of consuming sufficient fluids to prevent dehydration.
The most recent advice from the NHS is to avoid work or school until you’ve been free of sickness or diarrhoea for at least two days. It’s also recommended to steer clear of hospitals and care homes.
NHS leaders have warned that hospitals are bracing for a so-called “quad-demic” of disease over the winter months, with an increase in cases of flu, norovirus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and expected increases in Covid-19.
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, national medical director for NHS England, said: “The tidal wave of flu cases and other seasonal viruses hitting hospitals is really concerning for patients and for the NHS – the figures are adding to our ‘quad-demic’ worries.
“While the NHS has plans in place to manage additional demand over the busy winter period, with one week left to book your vaccine, I cannot stress enough the importance of getting booked in to protect yourself against serious illness and to avoid ‘festive flu’.”