Royal Lancaster Infirmary norovirus visiting ban lifted

The Royal Lancaster Infirmary has reopened all wards to visitors following an outbreak of norovirus.

Chief operating officer Juliet Walters said 140 patients and 20 staff had been affected by the latest outbreak - the fourth this year at the hospital.

The University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust said the situation was now "significantly improved".

But the trust is asking people to stay away if they have been ill themselves.

Ms Walters said: "On behalf of the trust, I'd like to thank the public for their continued co-operation.

"We know it must have been frustrating for those that had friends and family in hospital but their help has meant that we have been able to control the outbreak and return services to normal much quicker."

The norovirus bug - which causes vomiting, stomach cramps, fever and diarrhoea - is easily spread from person to person.

Symptoms usually begin between 12 to 48 hours after a person becomes infected, with most healthy people making a recovery within one to three days.