Vomiting virus at Warwick Hospital

The norovirus infection, which tends to occur in the winter and causes vomiting and diarrhoea, has been detected or suspected in the Malins, Nicholas and Mary wards of the Lakin Road site. Normally visitors would be barred until the outbreak has subsided but, seeing as relatives and friends of sick loved ones are particularly keen to see them during the Christmas period, people will be allowed in - but they must follow hospital rules.

These include restricting visitors to two per bed, washing hands before and after entering the wards and, if requested by staff, wearing aprons and gloves which will be supplied.

Anyone who has had diarrhoea or sickness in the last 48 hours should not enter the hospital and people should only visit if they are a family member or close friend of the patient.

A hospital spokeswoman said: “Visitors are reminder that norovirus is extremely easy to catch and by visiting affected wards they will be putting themselves at risk of catching the virus, which can then be easily spread to their family, friends and colleagues.”

To find out more about the illness and for updates on the status of the outbreak at the hospital, contact the ward manager on 495321 or go online.