Since a deadly winter virus is sweeping the UK like wildfire, hospital wards have been forced to close. This winter, as infections spread across the nation, the NHS is reporting a disproportionately high number of individuals being admitted to hospitals with norovirus.

Due to an epidemic of the deadly vomiting bug with obvious symptoms, three wards at St George's Hospital in Tooting, London, have been closed. According to the hospital, it's part of an effort to lower the chance that the infection will spread and shield newly admitted patients from virus exposure.

As a result, people are being advised to watch for symptoms of the sickness and to stay away from other people for two days if they think they could be getting it.

"Once norovirus enters a hospital, it can rip through our wards like wildfire, making patients even sicker," cautioned Professor Arlene Wellman, group chief nurse at St George's Hospital. The virus spreads quite easily.

The most recent statistics shows that 961 individuals with norovirus were admitted to hospitals throughout England each day last week. According to the Mirror, this represents a 69% increase over the same period last year, when there were 570 cases for the week ending February 4, and a 7% increase over the previous week.

If someone has not properly cleansed their hands after using the restroom, they can easily transfer the unpleasant bug because it spreads through feces.