NHS warns Brits to ‘keep at house’ as norovirus instances stay excessive throughout UK

Need to know

NHS officials have issued a stay-at-home warning as cases of norovirus, known as the winter vomiting bug, remain significantly above average across England with symptoms including vomiting and diarrhoea

Need to Know: NHS Issues Stay-at-Home Alert as Norovirus Cases Surge

• NHS officials have issued a stark warning for Brits to “stay at home” amid a surge in norovirus cases across England.
• The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed that while norovirus activity has stabilised in recent weeks, the number of people falling ill remains significantly above average for this time of year. Health chiefs are warning the public that hand sanitisers are completely ineffective against the virus.
• UKHSA stated on X: “Anti-bac? Hand-gel? Hand-sanitiser? Whatever you call it, it doesn’t work against norovirus. Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water.”
• The NHS has now told people to “stay at home” if they catch the highly contagious bug. Taking to social media, they said: “Norovirus is going around right now. The virus can spread very easily.”
• Commonly known as the ‘winter vomiting bug’, norovirus is the most common infectious cause of vomiting and diarrhoea in the UK. The virus strikes suddenly with symptoms including feeling sick, vomiting, diarrhoea, high temperature, headache and body aches.
• This week, a ward at West Suffolk Hospital was closed down due to an increase in norovirus cases. Health chiefs advise anyone with symptoms should stay off work or keep children away from school for at least 48 hours after symptoms have eased.
• An NHS spokesman said: “If you or your child have norovirus, you can usually treat it at home – the most important thing is to have lots of fluids to avoid dehydration.”
• READ THE FULL STORY: NHS warns Brits to ‘stay at home’ in pandemic-era warning as ‘mystery virus’ sweeps UK