Norovirus cases at more than double expected number, UKHSA says

“Hospitals remain close to capacity, with almost a fifth of beds filled due to seasonal viruses and delayed discharges to settings like social and community care,” Prof Redhead added.

NHS England said pressure on hospital capacity remained high last week with an average of 96% adult beds occupied and a total of 97,567 patients in hospital each day.

Laboratory reports only represent a small proportion of total norovirus cases, and it is estimated that for every case reported to national surveillance in the UK, about 288 in the community go unreported, an annual figure of around 3 million cases.

Norovirus levels are also higher than the same period 12 months ago, when 688 hospital beds were filled with people experiencing diarrhoea and vomiting symptoms, and also January 2023, when 395 beds were used by those with symptoms.

According to UKHSA, some of the higher numbers may be attributable to the use of PCR multiplex technology, which can detect multiple gastrointestinal pathogens in one test.

But it is likely that an unusual norovirus genotype emerging (GII. 17), along with changes in epidemiology following the coronavirus pandemic, are also contributing to the rise in cases.

At present, there is no indication that the genotype leads to more severe illness.