People urged to stay home for 48 hours as contagious winter bug spreads

People with symptoms of the winter vomiting bug are being urged to stay home and avoid contact with vulnerable people for at least 48 hours as cases remain high.

The UK Health Security Agency has warned that the country is seeing more cases of norovirus this season than in any previous one since the current reporting system began.

Some 711 hospital beds were taken up by patients with the vomiting bug last week – almost a quarter more than last year.

Experts said cases had since decreased “but remain high, meaning lots of people are getting sick with the winter vomiting bug”.

Sufferers should also avoid preparing food for others or visiting hospitals and care homes during that time.

Symptoms of the bug usually develop within one to two days of being infected and, while the sickness can be unpleasant, usually subside after around two days.

The NHS website advice for norovoris was the most viewed health condition page except for Covid over Christmas and Boxing Day 2023, with an estimated 19,170 visits over 48 hours.

Meanwhile, people were also advised to self-isolate if showing signs of respiratory viruses such as flu.

Cases of Covid remain relatively low and decreasing but flu activity increased int he most recent data to “medium levels”.

The UKHSA warned that flu can lead to serious illness was linked to at least 18,000 deaths over the past two winters.

Suzanna McDonald, the UKHSA’s national programme lead for influenza, said: “Staying at home when you have symptoms of flu or Covid-19 helps protect others, especially those who are vulnerable.

“If you need to go out when you are unwell, consider wearing a mask around other people.

“Simple measures like catching coughs and sneezes in a tissue, regular hand washing, and improving ventilation by opening a window when meeting others indoors can all help to reduce the spread of viruses.”