Decrease in Cases of Norovirus at Wrexham Maelor – However Partial Ward Closures Remain in Place

Several wards at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital have reopened following an outbreak of norovirus – however partial closures and restricted admissions remain in place.

At the end of November Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board advised patients visiting the Wrexham Maelor Hospital to take extra precautions following an outbreak norovirus.

Commonly known as the ‘winter vomiting bug’, five wards at the hospital were closed completely to new admissions after the illness started to ‘spread widely’.

As of midday on Monday 5 December only one ward – Evington – was closed to admissions.

Partial closures remain in place on Acton Ward and the Medical Assessment Unit.

Lister Ward – which had been affected since November 28 is due to reopen later today.

At Mold Community Hospital, Clwyd Ward is in the process of being reopened.

To help prevent the illness from spreading further Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is asking members of the public to help protect patients by being careful not to bring norovirus into hospital.

Tracey Cooper, the Health Board’s Assistant Director of Nursing responsible for Infection Prevention, said: “We always expect to see more cases of norovirus as we approach winter, and we have seen a sudden increase in the last few days.

“Because of the way symptoms develop, a few days after infection, some people will come into hospital who do not yet know that they have been infected. But there is a lot that people can do to help us stop it spreading further.

“This is really important for us because although people who are generally healthy will get over a case of norovirus within a few days, for people who are already ill it can be much more serious. And the restrictions we have to put on admissions means that other patients due to come into hospital may have their treatment delayed.

“The Health Board is asking the public to support us in preventing spread of infection by not coming to hospital to visit, or for an appointment, if you have had diarrhoea or vomiting in the past 48 hours, or are suffering from a flu-like illness. Please have your flu jab if you have been offered it, as that offers the best protection against flu.”

“So it is vital that that everyone follows the key rules to protect themselves, their families and, especially, our patients.”

The 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 our hospitals should follow the advice on the signs and notices at ward entrances and any guidance from nursing or other staff.

· Children should not come visiting to affected wards

· Everyone entering and leaving a ward must use the hand rub or wash their hands.

Advice to the general public

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. They can get advice from their GP practice (people with active symptoms should telephone rather than attending in person to avoid infecting other people) or from NHS Direct on 0845 46 47. Advice is available online from Public Health Wales or by downloading their leaflet