Hospital Unit Closed To Halt Spread Of Norovirus

The hospital's Acute Assessment Unit has been temporarily closed to visitors to help stop the spread of norovirus.

The government says fewer than five patients are currently ill with norovirus in hospital.

Three hospital wards were closed to visitors yesterday (7 March) because of Covid-19.

44 people are currently in hospital with coronavirus.

Other hospital visitors are being urged not to come in if they are unwell or have any Covid-19 or norovirus symptoms.

"We have to be careful to minimise the spread of Norovirus and COVID-19, and we continue our appeal to all visitors to only come to Hospital and other HCS (Health and Community Services) sites if they are not symptomatic in any way.

Visitors must always wear a mask in the Hospital and if they don’t, they will be asked to leave. We would also ask visitors to take a Lateral Flow Test before they visit." - Rose Naylor, Chief Nurse.

Ms. Naylor revealed yesterday (7 March) that a small number of visitors have been abusive to members of staff after they were asked to wear a mask.

62 members of staff across the Health Department are currently off work because of Covid-19 related illness.

Eight procedures have been postponed so far this week. Nine had to be postponed last week too.

"Anyone who has had an elective procedure postponed will have it re-scheduled as soon as possible."

The government says there is currently a 17% bed capacity in the hospital.