NHS England reported on 23 January 2025 that an average of 784 patients a day were in hospital in England with norovirus in the week ending 19 January 2025, up from 650 the previous week. The figure is almost 80% higher than the same period last year, when the average was 438, and is the highest seen in hospitals in any January since 2020.
Other winter viruses are also adding to pressure on hospitals. NHS England said flu rates had dropped since their peak but remained almost 2.5 times higher than last year, with 3,833 patients in hospital with flu on average each day in the same week, including 176 in critical care. An average of 1,071 patients a day were in hospital with COVID-19, and 29 children a day were in hospital with RSV, a fall from 51 the previous week but still up 91% on last year (15 in 2024).
Hospitals remained extremely busy, with 96% of adult hospital beds occupied by patients. Almost one in seven of these, 13,710 beds, were taken up by patients who did not need to be in hospital and were well enough to be discharged, 125 more than the previous week. Time lost to delays in ambulance handovers fell to 18,971 hours, down a third on the week before (29,956 hours) and on the same week last year (28,712).
"NHS hospitals have been hit by a surge in norovirus cases over the last week, with the highest level recorded in any January since 2020."
NHS England said norovirus can spread very easily and that washing hands frequently with soap and water is the best way to stop it spreading. Professor Redhead said patients should continue to use 111 and 111 online for advice and support for health conditions, and call 999 or go to A&E in life-threatening emergencies1. Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said it was not too late for eligible people to get their flu vaccination, and to contact their local pharmacy or GP1. NHS England said more than 29 million flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines had been delivered since autumn, and that those eligible could still be vaccinated at a COVID-19 walk-in site or a pharmacy offering the flu vaccine1.
Why it matters for households
The figures cover hospitals in England and the week ending 19 January 2025. Norovirus spreads easily between people, so higher levels in hospitals sit alongside higher levels in the community. The guide to norovirus symptoms, how long it lasts and stopping it spreading sets out what households need to know, and the health emergencies hub covers other winter health incidents. The guide to vaccines that protect against outbreaks explains the flu, COVID-19 and RSV offers that NHS England and the Health and Social Care Secretary referred to.
What happens next
NHS England publishes weekly urgent and emergency care situation reports for 2024-25, which carry the norovirus, flu and occupancy figures for each week1.
Norovirus Symptoms and Spreading
