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Health officials have issued a "stay at home" warning to anyone with symptoms of norovirus to help limit the spread of the highly contagious virus .

It comes as cases of the winter vomiting bug are on the rise. New figures by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show 1,310 confirmed cases of norovirus have been reported this season - slightly above average for this time of year.

While infections have stayed within expected levels, a 25 per cent spike in norovirus cases has been reported over the past fortnight, climbing from 171 to 213 cases.

Norovirus is a highly infectious virus that can be contracted through close contact with an infected person, touching contaminated surfaces or objects and then one's mouth, or consuming food or water that has been contaminated.

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