Health bosses calling on residents to stay at home if they have norovirus - The Redditch Standard

Health bosses calling on residents to stay at home if they have norovirus

Redditch Editorial 13th Dec, 2019   0

HEALTH bosses are calling on residents to heed advice and stay at home if they have the winter flu bug norovirus.

People suffering from the illness, which causes sickness and diarrhoea, are urged to avoid going back to work or school until 48 hours after their symptoms have passed.

Just recently there was an outbreak of what was thought to be norovirus at both Ridgeway Academy in Astwood Bank and Woodrush High School in Wythall, which closed for two days.

The latest data from Public Health England showed that the number of positive norovirus laboratory reports during the middle of November were 28 per cent higher than the average for the last five years.




Dr Carl Ellson, strategic clinical lead for the three Worcestershire clinical commissioning groups said: “We’ve already seen a number of care homes and schools affected by norovirus and unfortunately instances like these are likely to rise over the coming weeks.

“It’s a really unpleasant illness to catch but for the vast majority of people it will usually pass in a couple of days and self-treating at home is the best way to help yourself and avoid putting others at risk.”


Norovirus is one of the most common stomach bugs in the UK and is highly contagious.

It’s also called the ‘winter vomiting bug’ because it’s more common in winter, although it can be caught at any time of the year.”

Experts say washing your hands thoroughly and often will help rpevent passing the illness on.

For more information by visit www.NHS.uk or call the NHS on 111.

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