BOSSES at Colchester Hospital have revealed the urgent treatment centre was closed due to an “infection control issue”.
It follows patients being told to attend hospitals in Clacton and Ipswich upon their arrival yesterday afternoon.
An East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust spokeswoman thanked patients for their support amid the emergency response.
She said: “Thank you to all our patients and staff for their support yesterday afternoon when we had to temporarily close one clinical area at Colchester Hospital, the urgent treatment centre, to new patients.
READ MORE ON THE INCIDENT >> Colchester Hospital locked down due to emergency 'infection control issue'
"This was because of an infection control issue. The centre is now fully open as of 7am this morning."
Vincent Donaldson, 65, whose mother was being treated in the hospital, said there were “people with trollies everywhere” as the site began to lock down.
He explained: “There was a continued stream of cars with people getting out, seeing the sign to go to another hospital and then driving off.”
Mr Donaldson said it was “very worrying”.
A number of sources have told the Gazette the incident was to do with a case of Ebola, but this has not been confirmed by the hospital.
The UK Health Security Agency has been contacted for further comment. More as we get it.
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