NHS data released today has raised concerns about a potential uptick in a severe stomach illness. The number of individuals hospitalized with norovirus in England surged by 57% last week, with an average of 567 hospital beds occupied daily by patients suffering from the virus. Although still below last winter’s peak, this sudden increase within a week has sparked fears of a significant rise, particularly after children returned to school following the holiday season.
Later today, the UK Health Security Agency will unveil the latest infection data from surveillance labs, shedding light on whether there is a notable rise in infections within the broader community. According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), surveillance labs reported a 47% increase in norovirus infections among the general population in the first two weeks of 2026. The elderly, a high-risk group, showed the highest infection rates. Additionally, hospital outbreaks were documented. Meanwhile, flu-related hospitalizations slightly decreased last week, with 2,725 patients hospitalized in England, down from 2,924 the previous week.
Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS England’s Medical Director, highlighted that while flu cases in hospitals are declining, bed occupancy remains high due to the post-holiday surge, indicating that winter conditions persist.
Norovirus symptoms typically manifest suddenly and include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, high temperature, headache, stomach pain, and body aches. Health authorities advise individuals experiencing these symptoms to refrain from attending school, nursery, or work until they have been symptom-free for at least two days. They should also avoid hospitals and care facilities during this recovery period.
Recovery from norovirus usually occurs within two to three days, with adequate fluid intake crucial to prevent dehydration. Google Trends reported a 5,500% spike in searches for “how to know if you have norovirus” in the past week.
The NHS recommends seeking medical advice if diarrhea persists for over seven days or vomiting continues for more than two days.