Hospital Impact
Norovirus hospital admissions in have reached an all-time high, with an average of 1,160 patients per day, marking a 22% increase from the previous week and doubling the figures from the same period last year.
The surge has led to more than 1% of hospital beds being occupied by norovirus patients, and nearly 300 beds a day are taken out of action due to the need for isolation and thorough cleaning of infected wards.
Public Health Response
's Prof emphasized the importance of hand hygiene and avoiding close contact with others for two days after symptoms disappear to help curb the spread of norovirus.
Experts suggest a return to pre-pandemic behaviors, including decreased hand washing and presenteeism, where individuals are expected to attend work or school despite having symptoms, could be contributing to the high norovirus levels.