NHS England reported on 16 March 2023 that adult norovirus cases in hospital in England rose from 551 in the week to 5 March to 840 in the week ending 12 March 2023, an increase of 50%. The figures were published in the NHS weekly winter operational update and commented on by NHS National Medical Director Professor Sir Stephen Powis.
The same update gave other measures for the week 6 to 12 March 2023. There were an average of 95,340 patients in hospital beds, compared with 90,391 in the same week in 2022. An average of 13,367 patients in hospital beds no longer met the criteria to reside, compared with 11,619 in the same week in 2022. NHS 111 answered 333,778 calls in the week, compared with 297,586 the previous week.
Professor Powis said pressure on NHS staff remained significant, and that some hospitals had experienced their busiest Monday of the year while strike action continued. He also said the number of people waiting over 18 months had been cut by over 9,000 in January compared with the previous month.
"we've seen a surge in norovirus with cases in hospital increasing by 50% over the past week"
On access to care, he said:
"it is important that people continue to come forward for the care they need by using 999 in an emergency or using 111 online for other conditions"
| Measure | Week 6 to 12 March 2023 | Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Adult norovirus cases in hospital | 840 | 551 the week before1 |
| Average patients in hospital beds | 95,340 | 90,391 in the same week in 20221 |
| Average patients no longer meeting criteria to reside | 13,367 | 11,619 in the same week in 20221 |
| NHS 111 calls answered | 333,778 | 297,586 the previous week1 |
Why it matters for households
Norovirus spreads easily between people and causes vomiting and diarrhoea. The rise in hospital cases means more people in hospital with the infection at a time when bed occupancy is already higher than the same week a year earlier, which can affect how hospitals manage beds and admissions. The update does not give regional figures, so which areas are most affected has not been reported. NHS England's advice, given by Professor Powis, is that people use 999 in an emergency and 111 online for other conditions. Guidance on norovirus symptoms, how long it lasts and stopping it spreading is set out separately, and the health emergencies hub covers related alerts.
What happens next
NHS England publishes a weekly winter operational update. No further dates or specific measures beyond the week ending 12 March 2023 have been reported.
Norovirus Symptoms and Spreading
