A WARD at Grimsby's hospital has been closed due to the winter vomiting bug Norovirus – and 17 staff are thought to be off sick with it.
Health bosses are warning people with symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting to stay away and have put visiting restrictions in place across the Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital to stop it spreading. Children are being discouraged from visiting at all.
Norovirus has been confirmed on the Acute Medical Unit's short stay ward – where patients are assessed before being moved to other wards.
The short stay area has been closed to new patients, Ward C5 is closed to visitors and two bays are closed on Ward B4 following a further suspected outbreak.
Twenty patients and 17 staff have been tested, but results have not yet been confirmed. Staff are now trying to stop further outbreaks and are keeping a close eye on infection control. Visitors to Grimsby wards are urged to ring in advance to avoid wasted journeys.
The Family Services unit – which includes maternity services – is running as normal.
If you are affected by diarrhoea and vomiting, which has also affected schools across the borough:
Follow good hygiene measures, including thorough hand-washing, particularly after visiting the toilet.
Where possible, stay away from school or work until 48 hours after symptoms have ceased.
Drink plenty of fluids and rest.
Make sure that any surface contaminated by vomit or faeces is thoroughly disinfected after an episode of illness.
If symptoms worsen or persist for more than 48 hours, contact your family doctor or take advice from NHS Direct on 0845 4647.
Delay any visits to hospitals, care or nursing homes or schools until fully recovered and don't visit people who are especially vulnerable to infection, such as elderly relatives.
If visiting someone in hospital, even if you are well, obey the signs for hand-washing before entering and after leaving wards.
Any updates will appear on ww.thisisgrimsby.co.uk
