LONDON 

There were more patients in hospitals across England last week than at any other point so far this winter, as the number of norovirus cases continued to rise, new figures revealed Thursday.

Data from the National Health Service (NHS) showed 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 for the week ending Feb. 4, Tuesday.

The latest figures come after an NHS statement last week warned that norovirus pressure at hospitals hit winter high.

Norovirus, commonly known as the "winter vomiting bug," is a stomach virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea.

The latest data revealed that there were an average of 98,101 patients in hospital each day for the week which is higher than at any point so far this winter.

"Around 96% of adult hospital beds were occupied, also a record for this winter," the NHS added in a statement.

Julian Redhead, the NHS national clinical director for urgent and emergency care, said that hospitals are continuing to treat hundreds of patients who are ill with the highly infectious and unpleasant norovirus bug.

The number of cases hit the highest level recorded for this time of year since 2020, he added in the statement.

"The broken NHS this government inherited has led to patients and staff facing unacceptable conditions in hospitals up and down the country this winter," said Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting.