VISITING restrictions have been lifted at Worcestershire Royal Hospital after an outbreak of norovirus was contained.

Four wards at the hospital were closed on Wednesday following an outbreak of the virus – also known as winter vomiting bug.

But Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust – which runs the Royal as well as Kidderminster Hospital and Redditch’s Alexandra Hospital – announced this afternoon the wards had been fully re-opened to visitors.

But the trust has asked friends and family members to observe the usual visiting guidelines, with no more than two visitors usually permitted per patient at any one time.

Anyone who has experienced any symptoms of diarrhoea or vomiting is also asked to stay away and visitors are being reminded to wash hands regularly and use alcohol gel provided.

Other steps to prevent the spread of norovirus include drinking plenty of fluids, washing hands thoroughly after using the toilet, avoiding sharing towels and flannels, disinfecting all surfaces and not preparing food for others until symptoms have been gone for 48 hours.