PEOPLE who believe they may have the winter vomiting bug norovirus are being urged not to go to hospital unless it’s a medical emergency.
South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS) is urging patients to contact their local pharmacy, or call NHS Direct on 0845 4647.
Phil Convery, SCAS infection control lead, said: ‘Almost 900,000 people in England have been infected with norovirus this winter – almost twice as many as were infected by mid-December last year. This winter is the worst start to the norovirus season on record.
‘Winter is traditionally the busiest time. As such, we are urging patients with flu or norovirus not to call 999 (unless they are suffering a life-threatening medical emergency) so that valuable resources remain available to respond to genuinely life-threatening medical emergencies over the Christmas and New Year period.’
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