VISITING restrictions are still in place at Worcestershire Royal Hospital following yesterday’s outbreak of norovirus.

Bays in four wards – Avon four, the Acute Medical Unit, Laurel one and Severn Unit – are closed to visitors in an effort to contain the spread of the disease.

Enhanced cleaning is being carried out on all wards of the hospital as well as the A&E department.

Limiting the amount of people coming into hospital significantly reduces the risk of the infection – also known as Winter Vomiting Bug – spreading further.

Anyone planning to visit a patient on any of the affected wards is advised to call the ward directly before travelling.

The hospital’s associate chief nurse for infection control David Shakespeare said: “We would ask anyone with any symptoms of norovirus infection such as diarrhoea and/or vomiting to stay at home and not come to the hospital until they have been symptom free for at least 48 hours.”

“For advice please telephone your GP or NHS 111 rather than risk transmitting the infection further.”

There is no specific treatment for norovirus apart from letting the illness run its course.

People with symptoms of the infection are advised to drink plenty of fluids, wash hands thoroughly after using the toilet and avoid preparing food for others until they have been symptom-free for 48 hours.

They should also avoid sharing towels and flannels and disinfect all surfaces.

For the latest information visit www.worcsacute.nhs.uk.