AN OUTBREAK of norovirus has forced the first ward closure of this winter at Hull Royal Infirmary.
Ward 80, a medical elderly short-stay unit at the Anlaby Road-based hospital, has closed to new admissions to limit the spread of the bug. The winter vomiting and diarrhoea infection can be particularly serious if caught by an older person or those with existing health problems.
Infection control professionals are Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust are now urging visitors to both Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital to stay away if they have experienced the symptoms.
Dr Peter Moss, consultant for infectious diseases, said: "We took the decision to close the ward to new admissions in order to minimise the spread of the bug and protect our patients, visitors, and staff.
"Although we have just one ward closed at the moment, previous experience shows that norovirus spreads quickly and easily, so we urge all those visiting our hospitals over the next few months to be particularly thorough when it comes to infection control and washing their hands."
Ward 80, a medical elderly short-stay unit at the Anlaby Road-based hospital, has closed to new admissions to limit the spread of the bug. The winter vomiting and diarrhoea infection can be particularly serious if caught by an older person or those with existing health problems.
Infection control professionals are Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust are now urging visitors to both Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital to stay away if they have experienced the symptoms.
Dr Peter Moss, consultant for infectious diseases, said: "We took the decision to close the ward to new admissions in order to minimise the spread of the bug and protect our patients, visitors, and staff.
"Although we have just one ward closed at the moment, previous experience shows that norovirus spreads quickly and easily, so we urge all those visiting our hospitals over the next few months to be particularly thorough when it comes to infection control and washing their hands."
