Further Outbreaks of Norovirus Confirmed at Wrexham Maelor

Admissions to five wards at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital have been suspended following an outbreak of Norovirus in the past few days.

Yesterday Wrexham.com reported that five patients had been affected with norovirus and that admissions to three wards had been suspended as a ‘precautionary measure’.

However Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board have confirmed that norovirus has now been found on three wards at the Wrexham Maelor and that admissions to those wards has been suspended.

A total of twenty two patients have been affected across these wards.

There are a further two wards where all admissions have been suspended and three wards where the health boards have put in place restrictions on specific rooms or bays while patients are kept under review.

Individual rooms on a ward in Deeside Community Hospital and on a ward in Chirk Community Hospital have also been closed.

A statement released by the Health Board earlier today is urging hospital visitors to look for notices and signs that indicate affected areas, and take advice from staff before entering these areas.

The statement adds: “It is important that people obey any restrictions on the number of visitors and follow guidance on cleaning hands on entering and leaving a ward area.

-Parents should not bring babies or young children onto the wards.
-People should not visit patients at the hospital if they have suffered from diarrhoea, vomiting or an upset stomach during the previous two days (48 hours).
-People who are due to come into hospital for an appointment or to be admitted and have had these symptoms should telephone the ward or department for advice before coming to hospital.

“As it is clear that the virus is circulating in north east Wales it would also be helpful to remind people of the following advice:

– Although norovirus is unpleasant, for most people who are generally healthy it is a short lived illness of two or three days and does not require specialist treatment or a hospital admission.
-People with symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting should ensure that they do not become dehydrated by continuing to drink plenty of fluids.
-Seek advice from the Pharmacist or GP, and follow the advice from Public Health Wales (see their website or their leaflet)
– Staying at home and keeping your hands clean can help avoid spreading norovirus to others. You can still be infectious up to 48 hours after your symptoms go, so it’s best to avoid seeing other people during that time.

No further details on what wards have been affected have been issued by the health board.