Hospital Ward Quarantined

By Lindsey Hume , 3rd February 2012, 15:18

A suspected outbreak of Norovirus has led to a ward at the Lister Hospital in Stevenage stopping accepting new patients.

Hospital bosses aren't going to let any new admissions onto the ward until patients are free of any signs of the Winter vomiting bug. 

It comes just a month after three wards were closed off to new patients with an outbreak of the bug. 

East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust Deputy Director of Nursing, Philippa Davies  said: 'Although Norovirus infections are rarely dangerous, it can spread very quickly if you don't take action the moment an outbreak is suspected.

'This is why the Trust is asking people coming in to visit friends and loved ones not to do so if they have experienced symptoms themselves. 

'The advice is simple just stay at home and don't visit until the last episode of vomiting and/or diarrhoea was three days ago.'

Anyone who thinks that they may have Norovirus is advised to get plenty of fluids and bed rest, and to phone their GP or NHS Direct on 0845 4647 and not come to A&E unless asked to do so by a medical professional.