Norovirus Impacts Two Wards At Wrexham Maelor Hospital

Two wards on the Wrexham Maelor Hospital have been impacted by cases of Norovirus.

The Infection Prevention Team at Wrexham Maelor Hospital have asked people to stay vigilant for symptoms of Norovirus, and to avoid visiting patients in hospital if they have had symptoms of diarrhoea and/or vomiting (D&V) in the previous 48 hours.

Also known as the winter vomiting bug, the illness has currently impacted the Cunliffe and Evington wards.

Consultant Microbiologist Dr Chris Cefai said: “Our infection control measures so far this winter have helped us to contain any instances where people have come into Hospital with Norovirus so we have not seen widespread outbreaks as we have in previous years.

“However just recently we have seen an increase in the number of cases which indicates that the virus is circulating in the community.

“Therefore, even though we are coming towards the end of the winter period when the virus is most prevalent, we must ask people to still be on their guard and to follow our usual advice when attending hospital.”

The most effective step that everyone can take to protect themselves from a range of infectious illness is to clean hands regularly. In particular, visitors coming onto wards to see family or friends who are in hospital must use the cleansing hand rub that is provided in dispensers at every ward entrance.

We ask that there are no more than two visitors at any bed at any time, and for all visitors to comply with advice from hospital staff or displayed on notices and posters. Where there have been cases of Norovirus we might have to limit visiting to close family members to help reduce the chances of the virus spreading.

Visitors should always wash their hands before leaving a ward area to help avoid carrying any infections away with them. If people have visited someone who is on a ward where there have been cases of Norovirus then please do not go and visit someone in another part of the hospital.

And, most importantly, if you have suffered from diarrhoea and/or vomiting (D&V), then please wait until you have been free of symptoms for at least 48 hours before coming into hospital as a visitor.

If you are due to come in as a patient and develop D&V, please ring the relevant ward or outpatient department for advice before coming in.