UPDATE: West Suffolk Hospital resumes ward admissions after norovirus outbreak

A ward at West Suffolk Hospital reopened yesterday after closing due to an outbreak of norovirus.

Seven patients on Ward G5, the frail elderly unit, showed signs of the highly contagious diarrhoea and vomiting bug.

Hospital bosses closed the ward to new admissions on Monday and advised people to take extra hygiene measures when visiting the hospital.

They also advised people to stay away for 48 hours after recovery from the virus to avoid passing it on.

The ward reopened to admissions yesterday.

Rowan Proctor, interim chief nurse at the hospital, said: “Norovirus is very infectious and every year there are cases in the community which transfer to the hospital. Because the virus has an incubation period of a few days people are often unaware that they are carrying it until after they have passed it on.

“We would advise anyone who has had diarrhoea or vomitingto stay away from the hospital for at least 48 hours after they have recovered, even if they feel better. Otherwise they run the risk of unknowingly passing the highly contagious illness on to someone who is already sick.

“Anyone who visits the hospital should be vigilent and take care to clean their hands.If they are visiting the affected ward they should use soap and water when they arrive and before they leave as the alcohol gel is not effective against the virus.”