UK - More hospitals close to visitors as norovirus bug spreads

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More hospitals in Midlands close to visitors as norovirus bug spreads

Mar 2 2010 by Sarah Probert, Birmingham Post


One of the city’s largest hospital trusts has restricted visitors and closed wards to new patients due to a severe outbreak of the norovirus bug.

The highly contagious infection has swept through four wards at Good Hope Hospital, in Sutton Coldfield, forcing them to be closed down to new patients for the coming days.

And Heartlands hospital, which is part of the same trust is also battling the bug, along with Sandwell in West Bromwich and Selly Oak.

One ward at Heartlands Hospital and one at Sandwell, have been shut due to norovirus.

While visitors have also been banned from Ward S6 at Selly Oak Hospital as the ward has seen patients struck with vomiting and diarrhoea and tests are currently taking place to determine if it is norovirus.

Lisa Dunn, hospital director, said: “We currently have one ward at Heartlands and four wards at Good Hope Hospital that are closed for new admissions.

“As a precautionary measure, visiting restrictions apply on all of our wards, across all three of our sites. Please call ahead before you make your journey to any of our hospitals to check what visiting restrictions apply.”

The trust said they would try to see that one visitor was allowed per patient a day.

Limiting visitors should help stop more infections coming into the premises.
Infected areas cannot reopen until 48 hours after the last symptoms have dispersed.

There have already been numerous outbreaks of the illness, which is called the ‘winter vomiting bug’.

Visitors were banned from three Midland hospitals – City Hospital, in Winson Green, Sandwell Hospital and Wolverhampton’s New Cross – last monthin a bid to get the situation under control.

The Health Protection Agency also put out a warning for anyone suffering with the symptoms to avoid going to school, work, hospitals and other communal buildings.

Advice is to remain at home, drink plenty of fluids, wash hands regularly, disinfect toilets and wait until 48 hours after the last bouts of vomiting and diarrhoea have faded before going out.

http://www.birminghampost.net/dailybulletin/news2/2010/03/02/more-hospitals-in-midlands-close-to-visitors-as-norovirus-bug-spreads-65233-25948834/

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Re: UK - More hospitals in Midlands close to visitors as norovirus bug spreads

Hospital bug ?more serious mutating strain?

expert suggests reason for raigmore problems

Published: 13/03/2010

A major outbreak of the norovirus winter vomiting bug at the Highlands? main hospital may have been tough to contain because it is a more serious mutating strain, according to a leading microbiologist.

The bug, which at times forced staff to close wards and segregate patients, claimed no additional new victims yesterday.

But it has affected a total of 291 patients and staff since it surfaced 24 days ago.

Professor Hugh Pennington, Emeritus Professor of bacteriology at the University of Aberdeen, said: ?There is a whiff of evidence that it has got a bit hotter.

?It is quite nasty. Not because it kills people, although it can contribute to someone?s demise.

?We?re beginning to take it more seriously than perhaps we did in the past because frail, elderly with multiple illnesses are really quite at risk from norovirus, as they would be from the common cold.
...

Read more: http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1644184?UserKey=#ixzz0i5ncsWPA

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Re: UK - More hospitals close to visitors as norovirus bug spreads

Vomiting virus back at Winchester hospital

1:22pm Friday 12th March 2010
Vomiting virus back at Winchester hospital

NOROVIRUS has again struck at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester.

Managers reported 11 patients across several wards were affected by the winter vomiting virus.

All wards were at least partially open, said a spokeswoman.
The hospital has issued a plea for people not to visit the hospital unless absolutely necessary.

The latest outbreak comes only a few days after the hospital had conquered a previous spate.
...

Full article at:

http://www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/news/5058580.Vomiting_virus_back_at_Winchester_hospital/

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Re: UK - More hospitals close to visitors as norovirus bug spreads

Exeter hospital hit by norovirus

2:30pm Monday 15th March 2010

Exeter hospital hit by norovirus

SEVERAL wards have been closed at the Royal Devon & Exeter hospital (Wonford site) because of the diarrhoea and vomiting bug norovirus.

Visiting will only be allowed to closed wards in exceptional circumstances and if agreed in advance with the matron or nurse in charge.

Chief Operating Officer Elaine Hobson said today: ?We do not take lightly our decision to close wards to visitors because we understand the benefits of visiting for the welfare and recovery of our patients but infection control is our priority for everyone.

?In recent days we have seen a significant increase in the number of affected wards from a handful on Friday to a dozen today.

?By its nature this bug spreads very easily and someone can come into the hospital without the symptoms and pass it on to others.

?The visitor restriction is part of a package of measures we put in place to resume at the earliest practical opportunity business as usual.?
...

Read more at:

http://www.middevonstar.co.uk/news/5062163.Exeter_hospital_hit_by_norovirus/

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Re: UK - More hospitals close to visitors as norovirus bug spreads

Two wards still closed at Royal London Hospital due to norovirus

<!--editorial@hamhigh.co.uk-->
16 March 2010

TWO wards at the Royal London Hospital are still closed to new patients and sick visitors because of the winter vomiting bug.

An outbreak of the highly infectious norovirus hit the hospital in Whitechapel more than a week ago with bosses turning away new admissions from five wards because of increase in the number of patients catching the bug.

Today the hospital confirmed that patients on two wards are still affected with those infected being quarantined and visitors with the symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting being warned to stay away.

The bug has been sweeping the capital with more than 246 cases in January and February - nearly double those for the same period last year.

http://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/content/towerhamlets/advertiser/news/story.aspx?brand=ELAOnline&category=news&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=newsela&itemid=WeED16%20Mar%202010%2015%3A01%3A48%3A013

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Re: UK - More hospitals close to visitors as norovirus bug spreads

Ward closed at Medway hospital due to sickness bug

Tuesday, March 16, 2010, 15:00

A WARD at Medway Maritime Hospital has had to be shut due to the winter vomiting bug.

Wakeley Ward was closed to new admissions on Tuesday following the outbreak of Norovirus.

Medway NHS Trust has told friends and relatives of patients already on the ward to stay away to stop the infection from spreading.

A spokesman said the ward would undergo deep cleaning and reopen on Thursday.

Doctors across Medway have reported cases of the bug, which causes vomiting and diarrhoea.
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There is no specific treatment, but victims should not mix with other people until at least 72 hours after their symptoms disappear.

http://www.thisiskent.co.uk/news/Ward-closed-Medway-hospital-sickness-bug/article-1917537-detail/article.html

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Re: UK - More hospitals close to visitors as norovirus bug spreads

Norovirus closes down Bristol wards

Tuesday, March 16, 2010, 07:00

Nine Bristol hospital wards are closed to new patients to halt the spread of norovirus sickness bug. Five wards are closed at Bristol Royal Infirmary and three at Frenchay.

A ward at Southmead Hospital remains closed for deep cleaning. At the BRI, visiting is restricted to one hour a day. Other hospitals ask people to stick to usual visiting hours, but to stay away if they are also sick.

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/health/Norovirus-closes-Bristol-wards/article-1916277-detail/article.html

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Re: UK - More hospitals close to visitors as norovirus bug spreads

Norovirus still plagues Eliot

HOSPITAL bosses are appealing for patience as they continue to struggle to fight an on-going outbreak of a winter bug.

Chiefs at the George Eliot Hospital George Eliot chiefs have reiterated the message that they are doing everything they can to clear the hospital of the norovirus, known as the winter vomiting disease.

They have said that they understand the frustration and concern caused by the ongoing presence of the virus, which causes sickness and diarrhoea.

Their appeal for patience comes as two sections of the hospital continue to be ?no go? areas for visitors.

The whole of the Dolly Winthrop Ward has been closed, after being partially opened last week, and one bay on Alexandra Ward has also been affected by the bug.

While visiting is banned at Dolly and a bay in Alexandra wards, people can still pop along to see loved ones in other departments, as long as they stick to the strict rules of two per bed, and only call in between 7pm and 8pm.

But anyone displaying symptoms of the buy are being asked to stay away until 48 hours after they have passed.

Members of the public are being urged to call the special hotline number 024 7615 3484 for any changes to visiting restrictions.

Visitors must use the alcohol hand gels provided at each entrance and exit.

The bug has been present at the Eliot since November of last year, with affected areas so far including Coronary Care Unit, the Emergency Care Unit, Dolly Winthrop, Alexandra, Bob Jakin and Elizabeth wards.

http://www.nuneaton-news.co.uk/nuneatonnews/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=487370

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Re: UK - More hospitals close to visitors as norovirus bug spreads

?250,000 spent battling winter bug

Thursday 18th February 2010, 5:00PM GMT.

<!-- headline -->


More than ?250,000 has been spent in the battle against the norovirus winter vomiting bug at a Wolverhampton hospital, it was revealed today.

New Cross Hospital boss David Loughton said it cost ?9,000 to deep cleanse wards and thousands had been spent on UV lights to kill the bug.

And he revealed it would be at least April before the bacteria was completely wiped out.

The hospital is battling its worst outbreak of norovirus since 2002, with more than 300 patients and 140 staff affected.

Mr Loughton said the cost of fighting the virus was rising all the time.

?I would say it has cost in the region of ?250,000 to clean and replace infected equipment,? he said today.

?We had one nurse who was sick at the nursing station and we had to throw away pens, pencils, and all the stationery.

?We have also had to replace a lot of keyboards which are difficult to clean.?
...

Read more at:

http://www.expressandstar.com/2010/02/18/250000-spent-battling-winter-bug/

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Re: UK - More hospitals close to visitors as norovirus bug spreads

Concerns over action taken to deal with new vomiting bug strain

Published Date: 19 March 2010
By LYNDSAY MOSS

CONCERNS have been raised about a new strain of the winter vomiting virus affecting some patients in Scotland.

Labour MSP Dr Richard Simpson said he was worried about the emergence of the virulent strain of norovirus, known as G11.4.

He said he was particularly concerned that it might be difficult to track because ministers had admitted they did not routin ely request or collect typing data on different strains of the bug.

Figures from Health Protection Scotland have shown that the number of wards closed as a result of norovirus had risen from 30 to 31 in the past week.

The total number of patients affected has also risen, from 243 to 257.

Dr Simpson said: "I am deeply concerned that the number of hospitals affected and wards closed as a result of winter vomiting bug is continuing to rise. We need to see the Scottish Government getting much more serious about fighting infection. There is a growing realisation that norovirus can be fatal for those with underlying health problems, and the conditions that allow this bug to flourish also leave patients exposed to other infections, such as C difficile.

"That is why it is so disappointing that ministers are refusing to create a national reference laboratory that will help us to keep track of the bug."

Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "The HAI (hospital acquired infestion) task force considered whether there was a need to establish a national reference lab for norovirus and concluded there was currently no public health benefit in doing so.

"However, guidance for dealing with norovirus is clear ,and good hand hygiene, coupled with scrupulous standards of cleanliness, is key to tackling this bug. These measures are also crucial for addressing other infections.

"Norovirus is particularly infections and very unpleasant, but is fortunately rarely fatal. It's a common winter illness and can spread rapidly in any environment where people are gathered."

http://www.scotsman.com/scotland/Concerns-over-action-taken-to.6165264.jp

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Re: UK - More hospitals close to visitors as norovirus bug spreads

Page last updated at 17:47 GMT, Thursday, 18 March 2010

Frenchay and Southmead wards shut by vomiting bug

Four wards at Frenchay Hospital and three at Southmead Hospital have been closed because of an outbreak of diarrhoea and vomiting.

There is a ban on new admissions and visitors until the outbreak is over.
People are asked to phone the hospital to check whether the ward they want to visit is open.

Director of nursing Marie-Noelle Orzel said: "The illness is spread easily through contact and can affect staff, visitors and patients."
...

Read more at:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/bristol/somerset/8574979.stm

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Re: UK - More hospitals close to visitors as norovirus bug spreads

Norovirus alert at Weymouth's Westhaven Hospital

11:00am Tuesday 23rd March 2010

A WARD at a Weymouth hospital has been closed after an outbreak of Norovirus.

Dorset Community Health Services said the Radipole ward of Westhaven Hospital in Radipole Lane was still shut yesterday after the ?winter vomiting? bug was discovered there at the weekend.

Members of the public who fear they may have the infection are now being asked to stay away from local hospitals as staff at Westhaven continue to clean the affected area.

Dorset Community Health Services spokesman Keith Williams said:
?Norovirus is a gastric bug, which is widespread throughout the community and easily transmitted from one person to another in confined environments such as schools, hospitals and nursing or care homes.

?The Radipole ward at Westhaven Hospital was closed over the weekend and remains closed in line with good practice.

?The team at the hospital are working hard to ensure that this closure has a minimal impact on patient care and we are able to reopen as soon as possible. Good hygiene is important in preventing individuals from becoming infected and we are asking people to act responsibly and not visit hospitals if they think that they are carrying an infection.
[...]
More at:

http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/5077400.print/

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Re: UK - More hospitals close to visitors as norovirus bug spreads

Hospital boss gets the bug

NORMA NELSON

Last updated: 23/03/2010 15:18:00

It's something you wouldn't wish on anyone, sweeties.

But at least hospital boss Nerissa Vaughan knows how her patients feel, after going down with the nasty winter vomiting bug.

"Norovirus seems to have spread everywhere," said Ms Vaughan - who last week closed King's Lynn's Queen Elizabeth Hospital to visitors to try to contain the bug.

"Some of you will know that it even spread to me this week," she added.

"I don't think I've felt quite so ill for quite some time. I'm a relatively fit 42-year old, so goodness only knows how some of our elderly patients feel."

http://www.edp24.co.uk/content/edp24/lifestyle/normas-weird-world/story.aspx?brand=EDPOnline&category=NormaWeb&tBrand=EDPOnline&tCategory=NormaWeb&itemid=NOED23%20Mar%202010%2015%3A18%3A28%3A557

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Re: UK - More hospitals close to visitors as norovirus bug spreads

<TABLE class=storycontent cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=2>Bug halts visits to Wirral hospital wards



</TD></TR><TR><TD class=storybody><!-- S BO --><!-- S IIMA --><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=226 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD> Hospital officials want to stop the virus spreading


</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- E IIMA --><!-- S SF -->Two hospital wards in Wirral have been closed to visitors due to an outbreak of the winter vomiting bug.

Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Trust has shut wards 18 and 37 and put restrictions on ward 38 to prevent the spread of norovirus at Arrowe Park.

The virus, which causes diarrhoea and vomiting, is highly contagious.

No visitors are allowed on the closed wards. On ward 38 some patients can have one visitor per day, while others cannot have any visitors.
...
More at:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/merseyside/8581634.stm

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

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Re: UK - More hospitals close to visitors as norovirus bug spreads

Vomiting bug sparks more ward closures

Wednesday, March 24, 2010, 09:20

FIVE wards were closed at a hospital hit by an outbreak of a vomiting bug.
Stafford Hospital last night shut down the wards to new admissions after patients were struck down with norovirus.

Two wards at Cannock Chase Hospital, run by the same trust, were also affected.

Members of the public, who have recently experienced nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea are being asked to stay away.

Interim director of nursing at Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust, Julie Hendry, said: "We have had to close wards 6, 7, 10, 11 and 12 at Stafford due to norovirus.
/.../
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More at:

http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Vomiting-bug-sparks-ward-closures/article-1938114-detail/article.html