A GROWING norovirus surge is placing renewed strain on the NHS, with hospital cases of the highly contagious vomiting virus reaching their highest level so far this winter. New figures show that more than 1,000 patients were in hospital with norovirus each day this week on average, prompting warnings of a possible second wave of infections.
Norovirus, often referred to as the winter vomiting virus, causes sudden onset vomiting and diarrhoea and spreads easily in closed settings such as hospitals, care homes, and schools. While symptoms are usually short-lived, outbreaks can severely disrupt healthcare services.
Hospital Norovirus Cases Continue to Rise
Data published this week indicate an average of more than 1,000 hospital inpatients with norovirus per day, an increase of almost nine per cent compared with the previous week. The rise follows a brief stabilisation in early February and marks the second consecutive weekly increase, heightening fears of a second surge.
The scale of the increase has been stark. From the start to the end of January, the average daily number of hospital patients with norovirus rose from 361 to nearly 1,000, more than doubling within a single month.
Bed Closures Add to Winter Pressures
The norovirus surge is also affecting hospital capacity. An average of 1,257 adult hospital beds were closed each day this week due to norovirus symptoms, up more than 8% on the previous week and almost three times higher than in early January.
These closures come as hospitals continue to manage intense winter demand, including higher ambulance handover volumes compared with last year, even as staff work to maintain timely patient transfers.
Public Urged to Help Curb Norovirus Spread
Doctors have stressed that public behaviour plays a crucial role in controlling norovirus transmission. Good hand hygiene, particularly washing hands with soap and water, remains one of the most effective ways to reduce spread.
People with symptoms are advised to stay at home, rest, and maintain fluid intake, and to avoid returning to work, school, hospitals, or care homes until they have been symptom-free for at least 2 days. Pharmacies and health advice services can provide guidance for those concerned about symptoms.
Although norovirus is rarely serious for most individuals, its impact on hospital capacity can be significant. Reducing transmission in the community may help ease pressure on hospitals as the health service continues to navigate a demanding winter period.
Reference
NHS England. NHS facing ‘second surge’ in vomiting virus as cases reach highest level this winter. 2026. Available at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/2026/02/nhs-facing-second-surge-in-vomiting-virus-as-cases-reach-highest-level-this-winter/. Last accessed: 19 February 2026.
