Virus outbreak shuts hospital ward

A MEDICAL ward which deals with patients with respiratory problems has been closed to admissions and transfers due to an outbreak of norovirus.

Restrictions were put in place on Ward 22 at Scunthorpe General Hospital on Tuesday, February 2 and are still in place.

Latest figures show five patients have had symptoms in the past 24 hours on the ward affected.

A spokeswoman for Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: "The Trust's Infection Prevention and Control Team is monitoring the situation on a daily basis."

Outbreaks of the airborne virus are not uncommon at this time of year.

A number of hospital across the country have had to put restriction in place following outbreaks.

The hospital spokeswoman offered some advice to those who may have the bug.

She said: "Delay any visits to hospitals, care or nursing homes or schools until fully recovered and don't visit people who are especially vulnerable to infection, such as elderly relatives

"If visiting someone in hospital, even if you are well, obey the signs for hand washing before entering and after leaving wards."

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