Norovirus levels 'stubbornly high' for time of year, NHS data shows

Norovirus cases remain "stubbornly high" for this time of year and are yet to see a post-winter drop, NHS data shows.

An average of 903 hospital beds were filled every day last week by patients with norovirus symptoms - largely unchanged from the previous week, at 899.

The figures are the highest recorded in England for this point in March - and are well above the number for this period in 2024 (556 patients) and 2023 (557).

"While the worst of winter is no doubt over for NHS staff, virus rates in our hospitals remain stubbornly high and we are still feeling the pressure - the green shoots of spring for the NHS aren't showing just yet", said Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS England national medical director.

He added: "Hospitals continue to run at near capacity, while the added pressure from almost one in seven beds taken up by patients who don't need to be in hospital hasn't relented for 12 weeks and counting."

While the figures are down from a record 1,160 patients in hospital beds with norovirus symptoms in mid-February, it is the first time in four weeks there has not been a small decrease.

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Flu rates, however, are going down.

Data shows that 1,044 beds on average were filled with flu patients each day last week. This is a decrease from 1,173 the previous week.

Around 50 flu patients were in critical care, which is down from 60 the week before.

The NHS data also shows an average of around 13,388 hospital beds in England were filled with people who were well enough to go home.

This is a decrease from 13,643 the week before.