Norovirus appears to be spreading as rate of positive tests spikes

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest that the norovirus is reaching a seasonal peak. At the conclusion of the previous week, the average over three weeks of the number of positive norovirus tests had surpassed 15%. The highest reading since late March 2022 is that. Although it is not linked to the influenza virus, norovirus is commonly referred to as the stomach flu. Instead, it is a virus that spreads easily and usually results in gastrointestinal symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and stomach discomfort. A little temperature as well as pains are possible. A person just needs a few virus particles to become ill, and they may spread quickly through contact with hands, surfaces, food, and water. Even after feeling better, a person with the virus might still continue to spread it for days.according to the CDC, even for up to two weeks. Compared to any other week in the previous year, the Midwest had the highest average test positive rate for norovirus as of Saturday, at over 19%.The organisation uses a network of 14 state health agencies to monitor norovirus outbreaks. Although the network's data is incomplete, the most current count indicates that state health departments recorded 25, the highest since May, as of the first week of January. The CDC received reports of 225 norovirus outbreaks between early August and early January, up from 172 during the same time period in 2016. "Norovirus outbreaks and reported cases are rising, but they're still within the normal range for this time of year, according to state health agencies and clinical laboratories. The COVID-19 pandemic's prevention efforts were probably successful in halting norovirus outbreaks. "Norovirus outbreaks have recovered to levels close to pre-pandemic years as pandemic restrictions were loosened."