Wards Reopen After Outbreaks

28 December 2011, 12:07 | Updated: 28 December 2011, 12:18

Two hospital wards at Stevenage's Lister Hospital - that stopped admitting new patients after outbreaks of the Norovirus winter vomiting bug - have reopened.

A third ward remains closed because bosses need to be sure the outbreak has been contained before they start admitting new patients.  A meeting to decide whether the process of fully reopening the ward is due to take place on Thursday 29 December 2011.

The hospital say the quick turnaround has been possible thanks to swift action to close the wards to new admissions as soon as possible.  It is been helped by visitors taking heed of the request to stay away from the hospital if they feel unwell.

The first closure of an affected ward at the Lister took place on Tuesday 20 December.

Hospitals across the country are asking people who are feeling under the weather not to visit relatives in hospital until they have been symptom-free for at least three days.