Warwick Hospital and Leamington Rehabilitation Hospital still closed due to norovirus

South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust closed all its hospitals last week after an outbreak of the highly infectious illness.

It has since reopened wards at Stratford Hospital and Ellen Badger Hospital in Shipston but its hospitals in Warwick and Leamington remain closed.

Warwick Hospital’s MacGregor children’s ward and maternity department have remained open and a trust spokeswoman said the trust was due to consider reopening other wards on Thursday.

She added that exceptions would be made on compassionate grounds when patients were seriously ill, and friends or relatives should telephone the appropriate ward manager before visiting to discuss this.

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.

Anyone who has been in contact with, or had, diarrhoea and vomiting within the last 48 hours, will be infectious and you should stay away from the hospital. If you are suffering from diarrhoea and vomiting, stay at home, drink plenty of fluids.