NEW YORK -- The number of cases of a common stomach virus have spiked in recent weeks, New York City health officials said Thursday.

Stomach Virus Afflicts Area

An infection called norovirus has nearly doubled visits to the emergency room for certain symptoms.

"Emergency department visits for vomiting and diarrhea, the most common symptoms, have jumped from 300 visits per day to nearly 500 visits per day since November," the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene said in a statement.

Health officials advised New Yorkers to stay home when they're sick and wash their hands frequently.

People can catch norovirus by eating foods or drinking liquids contaminated with the virus, touching surfaces contaminated with the virus and then putting their hands in their mouths, or having close contact with a person who is sick, the health department said.

To learn more about norovirus, click here for information from the health department.