Norovirus outbreaks increasing in Care Homes in England

The UKSA has reported that Norovirus, typically referred to as a ‘winter bug’, is on the rise in care homes. Reported cases rose from 24 in the week commencing 7 February 2022 to 40 in the following week (w/c 14 February). This is a highly transmissible bug with symptoms such as nausea and diarrhoea.  The increase in cases, typically out of season, has been put down to the fact that people are increasingly socialising and mixing post-pandemic. UKHSA have warned this out of season increase will likely continue in the coming months and a rise in cases in care homes often comes before increased outbreaks in hospitals. UKHSA have advised anybody feeling unwell to isolate until 48 hours after systems have cleared. This is because the virus is highly transmissible through infected individuals and contaminated surfaces.