England's Hospitals Overwhelmed by Norovirus Surge

Hospital admissions in England for norovirus and similar symptoms have seen a significant 45% increase in the past week, with an average of 823 beds occupied daily. This figure surpasses last year's numbers for the same period and represents a new high for the current winter season. The occupancy rate for general and acute hospital beds reached 94.5% in the week ending January 18th, a level not observed since 2020. This surge in norovirus cases coincides with the NHS preparing for an anticipated cold snap, which is expected to further strain healthcare resources. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has advised the public to stay vigilant and follow public health guidance. He highlighted government investments in urgent and emergency care, including 500 new ambulances, to ensure patient support. Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS National Medical Director, warned that norovirus cases might not have peaked, as they did in February last year, potentially leading to further hospital pressures. Despite the increased demand, average ambulance handover times improved, and A&E performance in December showed the best results in five years, with 73.8% of patients seen within four hours.