Publish date: 15 March 2024
North East health trust warns of increase in norovirus cases in its hospitals
Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is reporting an increase of norovirus, the winter vomiting bug, cases at some of its hospital sites.
With rising rates in the wider community too, the trust is asking people to think before they visit.
Norovirus is highly contagious and is particularly dangerous to the vulnerable people staying in hospital. The trust is reminding people not to come to hospital if they are at all unwell and leave children at home if they are unwell, particularly if they are not well enough to attend school or nursery. Alcohol gel does not protect against this virus so hands should be washed with soap and water upon entering and leaving hospital at the available sinks.
It comes as the latest NHS England weekly winter data shows an average of 688 patients were in hospital each day at the beginning of February with norovirus – up 80% on the same time last month (376), and 75% higher than the same time last year (393).
Symptoms to look out for include nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting. If you have a loved one in hospital, please avoid visiting until 48 hours after symptoms have cleared. Visiting someone when you are unwell risks spreading viruses to your loved one and other patients, as well as staff.
Dr Tamsin Oswald, Consultant Microbiologist and Director of Infection Prevention and Control at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust said: “Our focus is always on the health and wellbeing of our staff and patients. Norovirus can be more than just unpleasant, it can cause severe illness in those already in hospital. With rates starting to rise in the wider community we are making a plea to the public to think before visiting our hospitals. Help us to protect our patients and our staff, so they can continue to care for those who need it most.”
You can find out more about Norovirus and how you can treat your symptoms at home here: https://