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The National Health Service (NHS) is facing pressure as hospitals in England experience a surge in the norovirus, which causes vomiting and diarrhea. According to the data, last week the hospitals received 784 patients daily with the virus, which is up almost 80% from the same period last year. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has said that this winter’s patients continue to face unacceptable levels of care despite the decline in influenza and other winter viruses.
Norovirus is a stomach bug that can cause grave problems in vulnerable people and young children. Although most healthy people recover in a few days, the virus can spread quickly with just a few viral particles needed to infect someone. The bug can spread through close contact with someone who has contracted the virus or by consuming food products cooked by an infected citizen. Moreover, norovirus can cling onto surfaces and has affected entire football teams in the past; this poses a challenge for hospitals. In light of this, entire wards often need to be shut to new admission if a patient is identified as having the virus.
The latest data on winter viruses indicates that flu rates have dropped since their peak, though they are still around two and a half times higher than last year. Additionally, around 3,800 patients were admitted to the hospitals with flu, while an average of 1,000 patients came with Covid daily. Moreover, it was revealed that one in seven hospital beds remained occupied by people well enough to be discharged. Prof Julian Redhead, NHS’s national clinical director for the urgent and emergency care, highlighted that norovirus, flu, and other winter viruses, combined with the sustained issues in discharging patients, means hospitals are exceptionally busy with patients.
Prof Redhead praised the efforts of the staff who are working extensively to see patients as quickly as possible. It was excellent news, he noted, that flu cases are gradually decreasing. Streeting said that while flu rates are gradually declining and ambulance handovers are improving, there remains some work to be done. If the citizens are eligible, they should get vaccinated for the flu to guard themselves against winter health issues by contacting local pharmacies or GPs. Moreover, patients should call 111 or access 111 online if they require advice and support for health conditions, or they can call 999 or go to the emergency ward during life-threatening emergencies
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