Norovirus cases remain high but stabilising

26 Feb 2026 04:32 PM

Weekly UKHSA report for the 2025/26 season, monitoring respiratory viruses.

This weekly bulletin brings together the latest surveillance data, along with the latest public health advice for flu, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and other viruses.

Latest

The number of norovirus cases has remained high in recent weeks but has stabilised, with cases returning to expected levels for the first time this year. Outbreaks in hospitals continue, with the highest number of cases seen in those aged 65 years and over.

Respiratory virus cases remain low this week and while there are small increases in common cold viruses such as adenovirus, levels are as expected for this time of year.

To help maintain this trend, there are simple steps people can take to prevent the spread of both respiratory and gastrointestinal viruses. One of the most effective ways to reduce the spread is washing hands regularly with warm soapy water. People are reminded that alcohol gels do not kill norovirus and you should use bleach-based products to clean surfaces.

To help prevent respiratory viruses, indoor spaces should be well ventilated and if you have symptoms, you should stay home where possible, avoiding visiting those more vulnerable including older people, pregnant women and young babies. If you need to go out with symptoms, consider wearing a face mask.

Norovirus surveillance data between weeks 7 and 8 (9 to 22 February 2026):

In this period:

• norovirus activity has varied but has now returned to expected levels for this time of year when norovirus activity usually peaks
• overall, norovirus laboratory reports between weeks 7 and 8 of 2026 (9 February 2026 to 22 February 2026) were 22.4% higher than the 5-season average for the same 2-week period
• rotavirus activity between weeks 7 and 8 of 2026 was 26.8% lower than the 5-season average for the same 2-week period
• the number of norovirus outbreaks reported to the Hospital Norovirus Outbreak Reporting System (HNORS) since the start of the 2025/2026 season is 11.4% lower than the 5-season average
• during the 2025/2026 season to date, the majority (87.7%) of samples characterised were norovirus genogroup 2 (GII) and the most frequently detected genotypes, GII.4 (41.3%) and GII.17 (20.6%), have continued to co-circulate

The timing of the typical seasonal increase and peak of norovirus activity varies from one season to the next. It is likely that multiple factors contributed to the high level of laboratory reports in recent weeks, including but not limited to co-circulation of multiple norovirus genotypes, weather conditions or changes in testing and reporting to national surveillance

Norovirus symptoms include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea but can also include a high temperature, abdominal pain and aching limbs. Norovirus infections can cause dehydration, especially in vulnerable groups such as young children and older or immunocompromised people, so if you do get ill it is important to drink plenty of fluids during that time

Amy Douglas, Lead Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said:

While norovirus cases remain high, they are now at expected levels for this time of year. We continue to see many outbreaks in hospital settings and the highest number of cases among older people.

We can all take simple steps to help stop infections spreading, such as washing your hands with soap and warm water and using bleach-based products to clean surfaces. Alcohol gels do not kill norovirus so don’t rely on these alone.

If you have diarrhoea and vomiting, don’t return to work, school or nursery until 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped and don’t prepare food for others in that time either. If you are unwell, avoid visiting people in hospitals and care homes to prevent passing on the infection to those most vulnerable.

Respiratory viruses

For respiratory viruses, in the week between 16 and 22 February 2026:

• influenza activity decreased and is circulating at baseline levels
• COVID-19 activity remains stable and is circulating at baseline levels
• respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity decreased and is circulating at baseline levels

The flu, COVID-19 and RSV surveillance report and the national norovirus and rotavirus surveillance reports: 2025 to 2026 season are published weekly.

Flu

Flu surveillance data for week 8 (16 to 22 February 2026) shows that:

• flu activity decreased and is circulating at baseline levels
• flu positivity remained stable with a weekly positivity rate of 3% compared with 3.1% in the previous week
• overall, flu hospitalisations decreased to 0.74 per 100,000 compared with 1.23 per 100,000 in the previous week

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

RSV surveillance data for week 8 (16 to 22 February 2026) shows that:

• RSV activity decreased and is circulating at baseline levels
• RSV positivity decreased to 2.5% compared with 3.6% in the previous week
• the overall weekly hospital admission rate for RSV decreased to 0.79 per 100,000 compared with 1.11 per 100,000 in the previous week

COVID-19

COVID-19 surveillance data for week 8 (16 to 22 February 2026) shows that:

• COVID-19 activity remains stable and is circulating at baseline levels
• COVID-19 positivity increased slightly with a weekly positivity rate of 2.6% compared with 2.4% in the previous week
• COVID-19 hospitalisations remained stable at 0.80 per 100,000 compared with 0.83 per 100,000 in the previous week
• COVID-19 ICU admissions remained low at 0.01 per 100,000 compared with 0.02 per 100,000 in the previous week

Dr Conall Watson, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said:

It’s encouraging to see respiratory virus cases, such as flu and RSV, have fallen again for another week, which is a really positive signal that we are nearing the end of the winter virus season, though we will continue to monitor closely.

To help maintain this trend, people should continue with simple steps to protect themselves and others, such as using tissues, washing hands, ventilating rooms and considering wearing a mask if you have symptoms and need to go out. This is particularly important if visiting vulnerable family and friends – we can all do our bit to help keep cases low as we edge towards spring.