There have been 46 outbreaks of suspected norovirus in hospitals in the past two weeks, with more than half of these leading to ward closures or restrictions, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) has said.
There were 26 ward closures or restrictions to admissions between 12 December and 25 December. Seventeen of those were confirmed as cases of norovirus after laboratory tests.
Since the beginning of October, there have been 244 outbreaks reported, with 153 leading to ward closures, and 125 being confirmed as cases of norovirus. The HPA said the levels were within seasonal norms.