A SICKNESS bug has forced the closure of a ward at an East Yorkshire hospital.
Norovirus has led hospital bosses to close ward 21 at Castle Hill Hospital in Cottingham in an attempt to contain the virus.
The ward was originally partially closed, but then closed completely on Sunday.
Health officials have been unable to tell the Mail when the ward will reopen because of the bug, which is more common during winter months.
A source said: "The ward was partially closed to begin with but the 'bad end' was the bit near the entranceway.
"That meant new patients being brought onto the ward had to go past the infected people.
"Norovirus is a horrible illness and highly contagious – patients who have it suffer horribly."
The stomach bug causes vomiting and diarrhoea and symptoms can last for several days.
The Mail contacted Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust about the infectious illness.
A spokesman said: "It is true that norovirus is known as the 'winter bug', but it can still be present in the community and there are still patients being admitted for it at this time of year.
"Ward 21 at Castle Hill Hospital is the only ward closed."
In January, four wards at Hull Royal Infirmary and one at Castle Hill Hospital were closed due to the contagious illness.
The Mail reported how the two hospitals were feeling the strain and seeing patients being moved to wards for cancer patients as the places they were originally supposed to stay had been closed due to norovirus.
We spoke to patients at Castle Hill Hospital's Queen's Centre for Oncology and Haematology, who were told tests and procedures could not be carried out because the unit was having to find beds for people from Hull Royal Infirmary.
Bed shortages and partial-closure of wards due to norovirus were to blame.
Norovirus is easily spread by contact with an infected person, especially through their hands.
It can also be caught if you digest contaminated food or drink or touch a contaminated surface or object.
Outbreaks are common in busy places, such as hospitals, nursing homes and schools because the virus can survive for several days on surfaces or objects touched by the infected person.
During a ward closure, it is usual that no new patients are admitted to the area and relatives are asked not to visit their relatives.