Breaking News: Visitors banned from Warwick Hospital due to vomiting virus outbreak

The announcement has been made by South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Warwick Hospital where five wards are currently closed or partially closed because of the virus.

A spokesman said: “The Trust continues to have a number of wards affected at three out of four of its hospitals and therefore has decided that it is now necessary to restrict all visiting to these hospitals to contain further spread of the virus to both patients and visitors.”

There will be exceptions made for visitors to the maternity department and paediatric ward, and on compassionate grounds where the patient is seriously ill.

Norovirus is a seasonal viral infection which causes vomiting and diarrhoea. It is very infectious and often occurs in outbreaks in communities such as schools, institutions and families. It can be brought into hospitals and cause outbreaks on wards.

It spreads rapidly as a result of contact between individuals, and The Trust are especially asking anyone who has been in contact with, or has had, diarrhoea and vomiting within the last 48 hours, to stay away from the hospital. If you are suffering from diarrhoea and vomiting, stay at home, drink plenty of fluids.

More information can be found on the Trust’s website www.swft.nhs.uk which will be updated on Monday to reflect the latest changes.