38 Cases of Norovirus Remain at Wrexham Maelor Hospital

38 patients remain infected by norovirus following an outbreak of the bug at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital earlier this week. 

Earlier this week Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board confirmed that there had been an outbreak of norovirus in several wards at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital.

Norovirus, or the ‘Winter Vomiting Bug’ as it is also known, 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.

As a result of the outbreak a total of 38 patients remain infected with norovirus. The number has decreased from the 57 patients affected by the bug yesterday.

Seven wards at the hospital also remain fully closed to admissions. A further five wards are believed to have one or two patients with the bug, however they are in separate cubicles to stop the bug from spreading any further.

As a result visitors to the Wrexham Maelor are being advised to take extra precautions while visiting the hospital and to follow the advice notices that are currently on display.

Guidance for those visiting the hospital was issued earlier this week by the health board, with a statement reading: “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.