Latest figures on norovirus show that NHS boards are experiencing increased norovirus activity with health professionals across NHS Scotland working hard to reduce the likelihood of outbreaks arising.
Norovirus is a highly infectious virus that causes outbreaks in the community, healthcare and care settings. Although it is present all year round, norovirus becomes more common in the winter when people stay indoors for longer and in larger groups. To help reduce the risk of norovirus outbreaks, HPS is once again asking anyone who thinks they have norovirus to stay at home until at least 48 hours after they are symptom-free.
As norovirus is so infectious, it is important that everyone plays their part and takes responsibility for trying to reduce the risk of outbreaks. In order to do this, hospitals may suspend access to particular wards to protect patients, staff and visitors from norovirus and to minimise disruption to healthcare services.
Health Protection Scotland (HPS) is continuing to monitor the situation and will support NHS boards as required. [HPS News Release, 17 November 2017. http://www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/news/newsdetail.aspx?id=22457]
HPS’s latest weekly norovirus report can be accessed at http://www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/giz/norovirusdashboard.html.
The Stay at Home campaign materials including digital social media toolkit can be found at http://www.healthscotland.com/resources/campaigns/norovirus.aspx. Further information on norovirus including a link to the ‘Top Tips for Preventing Infection and Norovirus Guidance’ and tools can be found at http://www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/giz/norovirus.aspx?subjectid=125.
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