This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
Norovirus cases up 45 per cent
Figures from Public Health England (PHE) have shown cases of norovirus, or the winter vomiting bug, have increased by 45 per cent compared to the same time last year.
The news comes as senior health bosses have raised concern over mounting pressures on the NHS as services continue to undergo strain.
A PHE report showed that there has been 1495 laboratory reports so far this winter, and warned that the number is likely to be much more as those who experience the bug often do not see their doctor about it.
So far, hospitals have dealt with 22 outbreaks of the bug resulting in closures of wards, bays and restrictions on admissions.
Dr Taj Hassan, president of the College of Emergency Medicine, commented: “The increase in instances of norovirus is extremely worrying for an already fragile emergency care system.”
“The system is so under-resourced that any extra demand may overwhelm emergency departments and put patients' safety at further risk, despite the best efforts of staff.”
Dr Neil Wigglesworth, president of the Infection Prevention Society, said: “There is nothing predictable about norovirus - some years are worse than others and there is no clear reason why.
“The better prepared hospitals are the more it can be contained.
Clearly at the moment bed occupancy is high and that makes it more difficult to close wards or bays, but that’s what hospitals need to be able to do.”
An NHS spokesperson said: “Winter bugs and illnesses always bring more pressure on A&Es, but this year hospitals began planning earlier, and cooperative working with local councils in most areas is far better."
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