Wards still closed over winter virus (From Bury Times)

Wards still closed over winter virus

2:34pm Wednesday 10th March 2010

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THE outbreak of the winter vomiting bug at Fairfield Hospital continues to affect three wards.

Yesterday, around 15 patients were still being treated for the norovirus which causes diarrhoea and vomiting.

As reported in last week’s Bury Times, the outbreak initially hit seven wards at the hospital and struck down 13 patients and nine staff.

This week, bosses renewed their appeal for patients and visitors who have been ill with the symptoms not to visit the hospital unless necessary.

“This is an effort to contain the virus and to ensure our patients are safe,” said a spokesman for the NHS Pennine Acute Hospitals Trust which runs the hospital.

Yesterday, wards 12, 18 and 20 remained affected by the norovirus.

Following the outbreak of the illness, certain wards have been cleaned and disinfected twice a day to allow them to reopen gradually.

NHS trust chiefs stressed that the bug was not a hospital acquired virus.

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