Norovirus has been completely eradicated at Walsall Manor Hospital, bosses revealed today, as they began counting the cost of more than two weeks of disruption.

A total of 61 patients have been affected by the winter vomiting bug since its outbreak on February 8.

But thousands more friends, family and hospital visitors were ordered to stay away as the Moat Road hospital battled to contain the virus.

Deep cleaning was carried out in affected wards with staff scrubbing light switches and door handles four times a day and constantly changing bedding.

All 28 wards were initially closed following the outbreak with some wards re-opening gradually.

Hospital chief executive Michael Scott said the ward closures had been necessary to contain the virus. But an investigation is now taking place to discover the financial impact of the bug.

“The early action we took to close the hospital to all visitors to patients enabled us to contain the spread of the infection to just a few wards,” said Mr Scott.

Experts have warned norovirus is still spreading through the community and anyone infected should stay away from the hospital for at least 48 hours after symptoms have cleared.