Health chiefs have warned that Norovirus levels across the country are 'the highest we have seen at this time of year in over a decade'.
Cases of the highly infectious stomach bug have been surging in recent weeks, with hundreds of hospital beds filled by people with symptoms, according to figures.
Laboratory reports of norovirus are more than double the five-season average before the coronavirus pandemic, according to the UKHSA.
Reporting has increased across all age groups, most notably in those aged 65 and over. While the majority of outbreaks caused by norovirus continue to be reported in care home settings, cases in hospitals are also increasing but remain below the five-season average. READ MORE "We've had to shut down NHS scanners": Christie cancer treatment staff explain why they have to strike Outbreaks reported in care home settings increased from 47 in the week beginning February 6 to 54 in the week beginning February 13 2023 – representing the highest number of outbreaks reported in a week so far this season.
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