Dorset Echo - News, Sport, Homes, Jobs, Cars and Local Information in Weymouth, Portland

Wards closed by outbreak

From the Echo, first published Tuesday 29th Oct 2002.

A TOTAL of six wards are closed in local hospitals as they struggle to contain the latest outbreak of a Norwalk-type virus.

The Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals Trust has four wards still closed and another four affected by the airborne vomiting and diarrhoea bug.

Five more staff and 19 more patients came down with the virus over the weekend, bringing the total number of staff affected to 16 and patients to 61.

Patients with minor illnesses are being urged to contact their own GP surgery or telephone NHS Direct instead of attending accident and emergency.

Outpatients and day surgery are open as usual and patients should attend for appointments as planned. Patients due to go in for routine surgery will be contacted as usual about their admission.

Visitors are asked to attend the hospital only if absolutely necessary and children and older people are advised to stay away.

Poole Hospital still has two wards closed.

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