NHS England says hospitalisations for norovirus have surged by 35 per cent as the health service battles surging 'super flu' cases and faces a 'worst case scenario' December

The NHS has warned that hospitalisations for a second virus have surged by 35 per cent as it faces a "worst case scenario" amid record flu cases.

New NHS figures show a spike in the number of people hospitalised with norovirus, also known as the winter vomiting bug. An average of 354 hospital beds were occupied each day last week by patients with diarrhoea and vomiting or norovirus-like symptoms - up 35 per cent from 263 the previous week. While this is lower than the same point last year, NHS England warned winter viruses were beginning to "engulf hospitals".

It comes as a new strain of seasonal influenza A, H3N2 "subclade K", is driving an unusually early and severe flu season. At least six NHS hospitals in England declared a "critical incident" earlier this week.

An average of 2,660 patients were hospitalised with flu each day last week - the highest ever for this time of year. This marks a 55 per cent jump from last week and is 43 per cent higher than the same point in 2024, when the figure stood at 1,861. The latest figure for flu hospitalisations is nearly seven times higher than in 2023, when it was just 402.

Some 106 flu patients were in critical care beds in England last week, up from 69 the previous week - also a record number for this time of the year. Daniel Elkeles, chief executive of NHS Providers, which represents NHS trusts, said the country is seeing a "very nasty strain of flu" arriving earlier in the season than usual.

Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS national medical director, said the "unprecedented wave of super flu is leaving the NHS facing a worst-case scenario for this time of year".

She added: "NHS staff have pulled out all the stops to vaccinate more people than last year, and with just a week left to ensure maximum immunity from flu for Christmas Day, I would urge anyone eligible for the vaccine to please book an appointment or visit a walk-in site as soon as possible. Vaccination is the best protection against getting potentially very ill and it also helps protect those around you."

Dr Vicky Price, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said the "flu-nami" was hitting the NHS but this was "a sadly familiar picture of a system under relentless strain". She added: "This week we have seen clinicians reviewing patients in waiting rooms due to lack of space, and cupboards used as temporary clinical areas - a new low for patient care standards."

It comes as the British Medical Association prepares for a five-day strike from December 17 , with resident doctors set to walk out in demand for more senior roles and a 26 per cent pay rise.

The government has made a last-ditch offer to avert the strikes, with Health Secretary Wes Streeting warning yesterday that the "looming strike action" threatens chaos "at the most dangerous time of year". The offer includes a fast expansion of specialist training posts as well as covering out-of-pocket expenses such as exam fees, but does not include extra pay.

The doctors’ union has agreed to put the offer to members over the coming days and, if they support it, the strike could be called off.

Streeting reiterated his plea to resident doctors today to call off the industrial action. He said: "There is a tidal wave of flu tearing through our hospitals . We are working with the NHS to make sure it is able to cope with this as best as possible, including already getting over 17 million patients vaccinated, 170,000 more than this time last year, with over 60,000 more NHS staff also getting their jab.

"We have recruited 2,500 more GPs and modernised GP appointment booking, keeping patients cared for in the community and out of hospital.

“The offer I have made to the BMA would help solve the jobs problem resident doctors are facing, and bring an end to strike action this Christmas, which is the most dangerous time of year. I urge resident doctors not to inflict further damage on the NHS, vote for this deal, and call off the Christmas strikes."

What are the symptoms of norovirus?

According to the NHS, the main symptoms of norovirus are:

  • feeling sick
  • vomiting
  • diarrhoea

Other symptoms include:

  • a high temperature
  • a headache
  • tummy pain
  • body aches and pains

People with the virus are urged to stay at home, get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids. Symptoms generally improve within two to three days.