Busiest week for hospitals this winter

Data published today by the NHS shows that 961 patients a day were in hospital with norovirus last week, up 7% on the week before and 69% higher than the same period last year (570 for the week ending 4 February 2024).

There were an average of 98,101 patients in hospital each day for the week – higher than at any point so far this winter. Around 96% of adult hospital beds were occupied, also a record for this winter.