An average of 1,012 hospital beds were filled each day in the week to February 15 by people with norovirus symptoms, NHS data shows. This is up 9% from the previous week’s average of 950. An average of 861 people were in hospital in England with flu each day last week, down 23% from 1,119 the previous week. Last winter, weekly flu numbers for England peaked at 5,408 patients. Some 24 flu patients were in critical care beds last week, down sharply from 43 the previous week.

Source: The Times February 19, 2026 18:16 UTC