Norovirus: Surrey hospital closes wards after outbreak

The trust said on Tuesday it had put measures in place to mitigate the spread of norovirus

East Surrey Hospital has closed three wards following an outbreak of norovirus.

Surrey and Sussex Healthcare Trust, which runs the hospital, said it was caring for "several patients" with the winter vomiting bug.

The trust said the ward closures would help stem the risk of further infection.

Visitor access to the hospital's emergency department is also restricted.

Norovirus is one of the most common gastric infections at this time of year.

Dr Ed Cetti, chief medical director for Surrey and Sussex Healthcare Trust, said: "We are currently caring for several patients with norovirus and three of our wards remain closed to minimise the risk of further infection.

"We always do all we can to prevent the spread of any infection and are taking additional infection control measures throughout the hospital to help our patients recover."

Patients and visitors to the hospital have been asked to wear a face mask in clinical areas unless they are exempt.

The trust has requested that those who have had diarrhoea or vomiting symptoms in the last 48 hours do not go to the hospital.

A temporary restriction of one visitor per patient in the hospital's emergency department is also in place.

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