LONDON

The British health secretary said Thursday that winter pressure on hospitals "remain high," warning that “another cold snap is on way.”

"Pressures remain high and we know another cold snap is on the way," Wes Streeting said in a statement, urging people to remain vigilant and follow public health advice.

His warning came as the UK's National Health Service (NHS) released figures Thursday that showed hospitals in England is facing continued winter pressures as the country approaches another cold snap.

The NHS said rising pressures are pushing hospitals to their "busiest levels for this time of year since before COVID-19 period."

The data revealed that more general and acute hospital beds were occupied in last week than at any point during the middle of January since 2020.

There was an average of 823 patients in hospitals with norovirus each day last week, the highest number this winter, and up 45% to the previous week and more than double what it was a fortnight ago.

The statement noted that the busy week has been driven by a rise in a "vomiting virus," as the NHS prepares for a predicted cold snap this weekend and into next week, which is set to add pressure on the health service.

"A rise in this vomiting virus is leaving hospitals under pressure. Norovirus cases didn’t peak until February last winter, so we’re monitoring closely for further increases ahead of another predicted cold snap this weekend," said NHS National Medical Director Meghana Pandit.