- Public Health England data shows reports of the illness have reached 2,435
- This is 12 per cent more than the average for the same period over five years
- Hospitals recorded at least 20 outbreaks in the first two weeks of December
Daily Mail Reporter
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In the week ending on Christmas Day, the outbreaks of vomiting and diarrhoea resulted in more bed closures than during the same period last year (stock photo)
The norovirus vomitingbug has hit more people this month than the past five Christmas holiday periods, according to official figures.
Data from Public Health England shows reports of the illness have reached 2,435 – 12 per cent more than the average for the same period over the past five years.
In the week ending on Christmas Day, the outbreaks of vomiting and diarrhoea resulted in more bed closures than during the same period last year – rising from an average of 559 beds closed per day to 699.
Hospitals reported 20 outbreaks of norovirus in the first two weeks of December – 17 of which led to bay or ward closures and 13 of which were confirmed as the bug.
So far this season, there have been 163 hospital outbreaks reported.
Professor Nick Phin, of Public Health England, said: ‘Those who get infected with norovirus will usually make a full recovery within one to two days.
‘However, it is important to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration, especially in the very young or elderly. Good hygiene is essential to preventing infection – this includes thorough hand washing after using the toilet and before eating or preparing foods.’
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NHS England also said there were 291,808 calls to the 111 service in the week ending on Christmas Day as temperatures plummeted and a cold weather alert was issued.
This was nearly 9 per cent fewer than the number of calls to the helpline in the same week last year.
Health organisations are unprepared for a major flu pandemic, Bill Gates warned yesterday.
Data from Public Health England shows reports of the illness have reached 2,435 (stock photo)
The billionaire philanthropist said the world was ‘a bit vulnerable’ – and would probably remain so for at least a decade.
Mr Gates said a major flu pandemic – like the 1918 outbreak which killed 50million people – would seriously test the world’s ability to react.
Mr Gates, whose foundation has pumped billions of pounds into health programmes, said: ‘I cross my fingers all the time that some epidemic like a big flu doesn’t come along in the next ten years. That would be a tragedy, and new approaches should allow us to reduce that risk a lot.’
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