London, 21 February 2025 – The National Health Service (NHS) is facing an unprecedented surge in Norovirus cases, with health officials warning that the highly contagious "winter vomiting bug" has reached an all-time high across England. NHS England reports that an average of 1,160 hospital beds were occupied each day last week by patients suffering from Norovirus symptoms—such as vomiting, diarrhoea, and nausea—marking a 22% increase from the previous week and more than double the number recorded this time last year.
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS England’s National Medical Director, described the situation as a "storm of norovirus," urging the public to adopt rigorous hygiene measures to curb its spread. "It’s concerning to see numbers hit an all-time high," he said. "Our staff are working tirelessly to treat over a thousand patients each day with this horrible bug, alongside other winter pressures. Washing your hands with soap and water—or using alcohol-free hand sanitisers proven effective against norovirus—and staying away from others for 48 hours after symptoms stop can make a real difference."
The spike has pushed hospitals to the brink, with 96% of adult beds occupied nationwide last week. Some, like St George’s Hospital in Tooting, south-west London, have had to close wards to new admissions as the virus spreads rapidly. Professor Arlene Wellman MBE, Group Chief Nurse at St George’s, highlighted the importance of robust cleaning protocols: "Norovirus can rip through wards like wildfire. Alongside handwashing, we rely on surface sanitisers tested and proven to kill norovirus to keep our facilities safe and operational."
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reports lab-confirmed cases in late January were 114.5% higher than the five-year average, with hospital outbreaks up 15.8% against the norm. Experts attribute this to a potent strain, improved testing, and the virus’s ability to thrive in close quarters. Amy Douglas, a lead epidemiologist at UKHSA, explained, "Traditional alcohol-based hand sanitisers don’t work against norovirus—it’s a tough virus that resists them. Soap and water or specialised alcohol-free hand sanitisers are essential, as are surface sanitisers certified effective against it, like bleach-based products or those meeting strict EN 14476 standards."
For the public, the message is urgent: prevention hinges on the right tools. "Clean surfaces with sanitisers proven to tackle norovirus, not just any disinfectant," Douglas advised. "And if soap and water aren’t available, opt for alcohol-free hand sanitisers designed for this virus—check the label." The NHS reinforces this, asking symptomatic individuals to avoid work, school, or healthcare settings until 48 hours after symptoms cease, as the virus lingers post-recovery.
While most cases resolve quickly, the elderly, young children, and immunocompromised patients face dehydration risks, making containment critical. The NHS spends £100 million yearly on norovirus, a cost ballooning with this surge. A global mRNA vaccine trial, including volunteers in Wrexham, offers future hope, but for now, the focus is on proven sanitisers and public vigilance to ease the strain as half-term potentially slows the spread.