Hospital wards re-open to visitors (From Malvern Gazette)

All three of Worcestershire's acute hospitals have reopened to visitors following norovirus outbreak

12:41pm Wednesday 2nd January 2013 in News By James Connell

WARDS at a Worcester hospital are returning to normal after an outbreak of a winter diarrhoea and vomiting bug.

However, visitors at Worcestershire Royal Hospital can still take steps to stop the spread norovirus which has led to ward closures at hospitals across the county.

As of today no wards are closed to visitors or admissions at any of Worcestershire’s acute hospitals in Worcester, Redditch or KidderminsterSome bays within wards remain affected however. People are asked not to visit if they have suffered symptoms within the last 48 hours. Family only have been asked to visit and numbers are limited to two per bed to stop the infection spreading. The trust has asked that there be no visitors under the age of 16 to prevent the bug spreading to schools, nurseries and playgroups.

The virus is easily spread by contact with an infected person, especially through their hands. People can also catch it through contaminated food or drink or by touching contaminated surfaces or objects.

The following measures should help prevent the virus from spreading further including washing hands frequently, not sharing towels and flannels and disinfecting any surfaces that an infected person has touched.