Norovirus appears to be peaking in London, new data suggests as hospitalisations jumped by 46 per cent in a week.
A total of 164 beds were occupied by norovirus patients in the capital on February 3, the highest figure recorded so far this winter.
The figures come as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warned that norovirus cases remain “way above what we would usually see at this time of year” with outbreaks in hospitals continuing to rise.
Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust had the highest number of norovirus patients, with 76 beds occupied by patients with the virus.
This was followed by St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (57) and King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (16).
On Thursday, London’s Royal Free Hospital declared its highest operational level of alert and said it had been forced to treat patients in corridors due to pressure on services.
Across the country, an average of 961 hospital beds were filled each day last week by patients with diarrhoea and vomiting or norovirus-like symptoms, up 7 per cent from 898 the previous week.
Norovirus usually gets better in around two days with most patients able to care for themselves at home, but some people – including young children; the elderly or people with weakened immune systems – are at risk of suffering more serious and prolonged illness.
The number of people in hospital with flu in the capital remains high, with a total of 278 beds occupied on February 9.
Professor Julian Redhead, NHS England’s national clinical director for urgent and emergency care, said: “Hospitals are continuing to treat hundreds of patients who are ill with the highly infectious and unpleasant norovirus bug, with the rate of cases at the highest level recorded for this time of year since 2020.
“The twin pressures of winter viruses and problems discharging patients means hospitals are close to full – even as more beds have been opened to manage the increased demand.
“While pressures on hospitals remains incredibly high, it’s vital people continue to use NHS services in the normal way – using 111 and 111 online if you need advice and support for health conditions, and only using 999 or attend A&E in life-threatening emergencies.”
