WARNINGS have been issued to people in the area over the levels of the vomiting bug norovirus.

New data from Public Health England (PHE) shows there have been 1,704 cases of norovirus in England confirmed by laboratory testing so far this season.

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This is nine per cent higher than the average for the same period over the last five years and 55 per cent higher than the same period last year.

The body has also confirmed that there has been 29 lab confirmed cases of the norovirus in the North West since Monday, July 4.

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust has advised people to not visit the hospital if they are suffering symptoms such as sickness and diarrhoea.

A trust spokesman said: “As a precaution to prevent its spread, we maintain strict infection prevention regimes within the hospitals as we know that these viruses can pass quickly.

“We encourage anyone who has the virus to stay at home and avoid coming to the urgent care centres, the emergency department or their GP as this will increase the chance of the bug spreading.”

The trust also advised people to take plenty of fluids and wash hands regularly.

In the last two weeks of November nationally there were 14 outbreaks of norovirus in hospitals, all of which led to ward closures or the closure of bays.

Julia Scott, chief executive of the College of Occupational Therapists, said: “The rise in infections highlighted means that it is vital the NHS does everything it can to prevent unnecessary admissions and to ensure that patients can go home as soon as they are medically fit.”