Three wards closed as hospital is hit by the vomiting bug

Newington Ward, Baird (MAU) and MacDonald Ward were closed to new admissions, following confirmed cases of norovirus.

The hospital bosses were urging people experiencing symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting to stay away from the Conquest.

Those infected are being told not to visit friends or relatives in hospital until they have been free of symptoms for at least 48 hours.

Tina Lloyd, assistant director of infection prevention and control, said: “Norovirus is highly infectious.

“To help contain it we have restricted the movement of patients around the hospital and introduced stringent infection control measures.

“In particular attention to good hygiene measures should be observed.

“It is very important to wash your hands with soap and water after contact with someone who is ill and after using the toilet, especially if you are suffering from symptoms.

“The public can help contain the spread of this virus by not visiting friends or relatives in hospital if they are experiencing symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting and feel unwell with gastrointestinal symptoms. Please don’t help pass it on.

“Also, if you are visiting a relative or friend in hospital we do not recommend storing food in open containers in ward areas such as fruit bowls so bring food gifts for patients in sealable containers only.

“Thorough cleaning of hard surfaces with a bleach solution, paying particular attention to the toilet and toilet area and cleaning up vomit and the surrounding area quickly will help to reduce environmental contamination and reduce the risk of infection in others coming into contact with these surfaces later on.”