Norovirus spreads at Walsall Manor
Norovirus has spread at Walsall Manor Hospital with visitors urged to stay away.
The winter vomiting virus was struck at the hospital last week but it was confined from three wards to one.
Now bosses confirmed three wards are once again closed or partially closed to new patients.
Mr Amir Khan, medical director and director of infection prevention and control at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust said: “At this time of year stomach bugs such as norovirus are prevalent and we have had a number of confirmed cases in the Manor Hospital.
"This has meant that at present we have three wards partially or completely closed.
"We have to work together, supported by the public, to do all we can to minimise the risk of such infections spreading as not only do they create a serious risk for our more vulnerable patients who have underlying health conditions or are frail and elderly, they also place pressure on our services.
"We are asking people not to visit hospitals and care homes to see relatives or friends if they have sickness and diarrhoea, or they have recently experienced these symptoms.
"This is because people may still carry the virus and infect others up to three days after their own symptoms have stopped.
"Also, relatives can pick up the virus in hospital and take it home with them - not what anyone wants over the Christmas period.
"We are also re-iterating our appeal for anyone with symptoms to avoid turning up at our Emergency Department as this is not the most appropriate place for their care and treatment.
"We need to ensure staff in the department can prioritise those with life-threatening or serious conditions."
