Increase in Suspected Cases of Norovirus at Wrexham Maelor & Admissions to Six Wards Suspended

Admissions to six wards at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital have been suspended following an increase in the number of suspected cases of norovirus.

Yesterday Wrexham.com reported that the Wrexham Maelor Hospital had seen a number of patients admitted who have developed symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting.

Some of the cases were confirmed as cases of norovirus.

Further information has today been provided by the Health Board – with further patients admitted to both Wrexham Maelor and Chirk Hospitals with sickness and diarrhoea.

A spokesperson for the Health Board today confirmed that there are now 34 patients with symptoms.

As a result new admissions to six wards at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital have been suspended – with a further ward putting restrictions in place. One ward in Chirk also remains closed.

Norovirus is a highly common stomach bug that causes vomiting and diarrhoea for those who have contracted it. The bug is contracted by being in close contact with someone who has Norovirus, eating contaminated food or by touching contaminated surfaces or objects.

There is no cure for the bug and symptoms usually last a couple of days. It is believed a person carrying the illness may be infectious to others during the first 12-48 hours.

To help prevent further cases coming into the hospitals, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board are asking all patients and visitors to obey the following rules:

· Visitors must not come into any of our hospitals if they have suffered from diarrhoea and/or vomiting in the previous 48 hours.

· Patients who are due to come in but have had either diarrhoea or vomiting in the previous 48 hours are asked to contact us first for advice, and so we can make appropriate arrangements.

· All visitors to the hospitals should follow the advice on the signs and notices at ward entrances and any guidance from nursing or other staff.

The best way for members of the public to protect themselves is to ensure they wash their hands after visiting the toilet, and before eating, and avoid contact with people suffering from diarrhoea and/or vomiting.

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.

No details of which wards have been affected at either the Wrexham Maelor Hospital or Chirk Hospital have been provided.