The government has warned there has been a spike in cases of norovirus - otherwise known as the vomiting bug. It comes after routine surveillance has revealed the number of cases of the bug in England has risen in the four-week period from the end of January to February.
Educational settings, particularly nursery and childcare facilities have been hit particularly hard, with 48 per cent more incidents reported to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) than would be expected. Read more: Family doctor honoured by Boris Johnson is suspended after leaking medical records with 'laughing emojis' Reports of norovirus outbreaks in care home settings have also increased, with a rise from 24 reported in the first week of February, to 40 reported the following week.
While outbreaks reported in care home settings overall remain below pre-pandemic expected levels, it is likely they will continue to increase in the coming weeks.
According to the UKHSA, a rise in norovirus outbreaks in care home settings often precedes an increase in outbreaks in hospital settings.
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