NHS England reported on 1 February 2024 that norovirus and flu cases in hospitals in England had reached their highest levels that winter, and were up three-quarters on the same week last year1. The figures come from the latest weekly winter data, covering last week1.
An average of 688 patients were in hospital each day last week with norovirus, up 80% on the same time last month (376) and 75% higher than the same time last year (393)1. There was also an average of 2,226 patients with flu in hospital each day last week, up 70% in a month (1,312 in the week ending 31 December) and three-quarters higher than the same week last January (1,290)1. Separate figures show an average of 3,982 patients in hospital each day last week with Covid, up from 3,895 each day the week before1.
| Measure (daily average, last week) | Latest | Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Patients with norovirus | 688 | 376 a month earlier; 393 in the same week last year |
| Patients with flu | 2,226 | 1,312 in week ending 31 December; 1,290 in the same week last January |
| Patients with Covid | 3,982 | 3,895 the week before |
| Adult beds occupied | 96% | Highest so far this winter |
| Patients medically ready but not discharged | 13,620 | Down by more than 800 on the week before |
NHS England said 96% of adult beds were occupied last week, the highest so far this winter, and that an average of 13,620 people a day could not be discharged despite being medically ready, down by more than 800 on the week before1. It said the NHS had met its urgent and emergency care recovery plan ambition of an additional 5,000 "core" beds, against a baseline of 94,500 core beds planned by trusts in 2022/23; a total of 103,688 general and acute beds were open each day last week, with 99,864 of these core beds1. Ambulances took 90,079 patients to hospitals last week, NHS 111 staff answered 381,760 calls, 50,554 more than the same week last year (331,206), and staff absences stood at 49,212 a day, up 1,744 a day on the week before and 727 a day on last year1.
Professor Julian Redhead, NHS England's National Clinical Director for Urgent and Emergency Care, said:
"These figures show that the NHS is still in the thick of a challenging winter with intensifying seasonal virus pressures as hospitals dealt with the highest number of patients with norovirus or flu so far this winter."
He also said: "As always, I would urge the public to get their flu and Covid vaccines if they are eligible, and continue to come forward for NHS services when you need them, 999 or A&E in an emergency, and 111 online for any other conditions."1
Why it matters for households
The pressures described affect anyone in England who needs hospital or emergency care, and the households around them. NHS England reports that hospitals were treating more patients with norovirus and flu than at any point this winter, that 96% of adult beds were occupied, and that more than 13,000 patients a day remained in hospital when fit to be discharged because of capacity issues in social and community care1. Its national clinical director urged people who are eligible to get their flu and Covid vaccines, and to continue to come forward for NHS services, using 999 or A&E in an emergency and 111 online for other conditions1. The health emergencies hub covers wider health incident guidance for households.
What happens next
NHS England publishes weekly winter data; the next set of figures had not been published at the time of this report1. No further steps have been reported.
