11:16am Wednesday 3rd December 2008
VISITING has been banned at Worcestershire Royal Hospital after an outbreak of the norovirus vomiting bug.
A spokesperson for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said: “Norovirus is a virus which is easily transmitted from one person to another. It is passed on by contact with an infected person; by consuming contaminated food or water or by contact with contaminated surfaces or objects.
"It is present in the community and a few cases have now been identified on wards at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.
“Because of its highly contagious nature and in order to protect vulnerable patients and avoid the spread of the infection, we have decided to implement a ban on visiting to all wards at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.
“We acknowledge that this may cause some difficulty but appreciate the support of families and visitors in helping us to contain the outbreak.
“Patients who have outpatient appointments should attend as long as they are well or have been free of any symptoms of diarehoea or vomiting for more than 48 hours.
“We have cancelled some non-urgent elective surgery at Worcestershire Royal and all patients affected have been informed.”
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