Norovirus is a virus that normally sees a surge during the winter. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions, this has not happened for two years. As a result, the bodies of Britons are not defended as well against the virus as they otherwise would be in a normal year. Often norovirus outbreaks affect care homes and schools the most, with inhabitants of both spreading the virus to their families, once within the home it can spread into the wider community.
Meanwhile, coronavirus has returned its prominent position in the nations’ consciousness as the last restrictions were lifted on April 1st.
This included the lifting of the legal requirement to self-isolate if positive with COVID-19 and the end of free testing.
If a person tests positive they are advised to stay at home for the first five days when they are most infectious.
Furthermore, if a young person has a cough or a cold, they are also being told to stay at home to avoid passing what could be Covid to others.
This decision comes amidst a record wave of Covid infections.
Nearly 4.9 million people in the UK had coronavirus according to recently released data.
In comparison, this is a similar number of people who have diabetes in the UK.
Meanwhile, a new study published in The Lancet has found the risk of someone developing diabetes rises after they’ve had COVID-19.
Results showed a patient’s risk of the condition rose by around 40 percent.
Dr Ziyad Al-Aly, Chief Researcher on the study, said: “When this whole pandemic recedes, we’re going to be left with the legacy of this pandemic – a legacy of chronic disease for which health-care systems are unprepared.”
Other studies, also led by Dr Aly, have found the risk of a person developing heart failure and a heart attack rises by over 50 percent after a case of mild COVID-19.
For more information on diabetes and norovirus contact the NHS or consult with your GP.
