Cases of the winter vomiting bug rocketed by 27 per cent last week across NHS hospitals, official figures reveal.
Some 5,718 beds were closed because of norovirus or diarrhoea and vomiting – an average of 817 each day.
In contrast, just 640 beds were shut off each day, on average, in the previous week, according to the NHS England statistics.
Concerned experts have warned the spike is putting further pressure on already over-stretched hospitals, battling their worst winter ever.
Cases of the winter vomiting bug rocketed by 27 per cent last week, official figures reveal
An NHS England spokesman confirmed there had been a ‘spike’ in norovirus cases on the back of the latest figures.
However, seperate data released by Public Health England this morning stated that norovirus appears to have peaked’.
Those figures showed there has been 3,480 confirmed laboratory cases of norovirus since July last year.
But Government officials state the total number of cases recorded this year is still four per cent lower than in the previous five seasons.
Nick Phin, National Infection Service Deputy Director, PHE said: ‘Case numbers of norovirus are reducing and the indications are that activity may have peaked.’
Janet Davies, chief executive and general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, said: ‘Hospitals lost an average of 800 beds every day last week due to norovirus outbreaks – up more than a quarter on the week before.
‘With fewer beds available, it is harder to admit new patients and too many are left waiting on trolleys and in corridors.
‘That same shortage of beds means thousands of ambulances each week – often carrying older and vulnerable people – are left queuing at the door of A&E departments for an hour or more.
‘Norovirus presents a big challenge to nursing staff in winter and everybody can play a part in reducing it.
‘Patients should inform staff when they are admitted to hospital if they, or those they live with, are showing symptoms. Friends and family should not visit people in hospital if they know they are infected themselves.’
NHS England figures, released today, follow Health and Social Care Secretary Jeremy Hunt’s admittance last week that it was the NHS’ ‘worst ever winter’.
The data shows the NHS crisis is still in full-swing, but beginning to ease.
Overall bed occupancy rate sits at 95 per cent – well above the recommended safe levels of 85 per cent, according to data from all 137 trusts in England.
This has remained at a similar level since New Year’s Day.
However, the number of patients having to wait more than 30 minutes to be seen after arriving at A&E by ambulances has reduced.
More than 10,750 patients had to wait longer than half an hour in cramped casualty units last week – the lowest total since November.
And 30 ambulances were turned away by busy A&E units during the week ending February 11. Some 36 diverts were recorded the week before.
Figures show a rise in the number of calls to NHS 111, with 335,900 calls recorded – 18 per cent higher than this point last year and 3.6 per cent up on last week.