The number of patients and beds in use rose again last week, as flu and norovirus maintain pressure on hospitals in the South West.
In the week to Sunday, January 11, an average of 262 people per day were in hospital with flu in the region, with some requiring critical care.
There were also 136 beds closed each day due to norovirus and similar symptoms - up from 129 the previous week.
Dr Trevor Smith, South West medical director for NHS England, said: "Norovirus and similar stomach bugs can be a real threat to hospital patients, so please don’t go in to visit your loved ones when you’ve had diarrhoea or vomiting in the past 48 hours.
"You might end up giving them more than they’d bargained for."
While flu cases in the community are starting to decline, norovirus remains a growing concern.
The UK Health Security Agency has reported that norovirus cases in the first two weeks of the year are 47 per cent higher than the same period in 2025.
Dr Smith said: “It’s simple things like this that can help keep our hospitals working well, at a time when large numbers of patients are coming through the door with serious illnesses and injuries.”
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