Norvirus hits hospitals across north and mid-Essex (From Gazette)

Norvirus hits hospitals across north and mid-Essex

6:30am Thursday 31st December 2009

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AN outbreak of the noro-virus has closed hospital wards across mid and north Essex to new admissions.

Eight elderly patients at Colchester General Hospital were diagnosed with the virus on Monday.

As a result, new admissions to the geriatric ward at the hospital, in Turner Road, have been halted. Officials say one of those patients has since recovered, but the 20-bed ward remains closed.

Mark Prentice, spokesman for Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It is not uncommon for hospitals to experience outbreaks of gastroenteritis at this time of year.

“Given the circumstances, the seven patients are doing well, and we are making sure they are kept hydrated and as comfortable as possible.

“The symptoms tend to clear within 72 hours, but it then takes another 48 hours after that before you can say with confidence a patient is no longer infectious.”

A small number of patients and staff are said to have come down with a similar bug in Trinity ward at Harwich Hospital and Durban ward at Clacton Hospital.

A norovirus outbreak has also been identified in mid-Essex, with general wards at William Julien Courtauld Hospital in Braintree closed to new patients.

The hospital’s maternity unit is said to be unaffected.

Three wards at Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford, are also closed to new admissions, because of continuing problems with the norovirus.

Dr Louise Teare, director of infection prevention and control for the trust which runs mid-Essex’s hospitals, said: “This virus, which causes diarrhoea and vomiting, can be very unpleasant. People are advised to stay at home and drink plenty of fluids.”

Anyone who thinks they may have the virus is being urged not to visit relatives or friends in hospital until they have been symptom-free for at least 48 hours.

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