Norovirus: NHS chief urges Britons to isolate for two days if feeling unwell amid second wave fears
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England’s top doctor has urged the public to isolate for two days if they feel unwell, after a surge in Norovirus cases has gripped the country.
The latest NHS report shows that they lost almost 44,000 bed days to norovirus alone in the last month.
Figures show that there were 1,094 patients a day in hospital with the illness last week, more than double the number of patients compared to the same period last year.
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, National Medical Director of NHS England, warned that while the weather was getting warmer, the latest figures were proof that winter was far from over for NHS staff.
He said staff continued to “work tirelessly to treat thousands of patients with norovirus and other nasty winter viruses each day” and that “we are certainly not out of the woods yet.”
“To help stop the spread of norovirus it is important to remember to wash your hands frequently with soap and water, and if you’re unwell to avoid mixing with other people until you have not had symptoms for two days.
“Hospitals continue to run at near capacity, with added pressure from almost one in seven beds taken up by patients who don’t need to be in hospital.”
He added that it was “vital” the public continue to use 999 and A&E in life-threatening emergencies and use NHS 111 – and 111 online – for advice and support for other conditions.
Gauri Godbole, Deputy Director for Gastrointestinal Infections at UKHSA, said that the as norovirus levels were “very high” for this time of the year, the biggest impacts were in hospitals and care homes.
She added: “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.”
Sir Stephen’s latest warning comes as he announced he would be stepping down from the role as England’s top doctor this summer after over seven years in the role.
He will continue until early July, focusing on the medical training review for postgraduate doctors, ongoing work to improve stroke care as well as ongoing inquiry commitments.
This is a breaking news story. More to follow.
