A ward remained closed at Walsall Manor Hospital today as staff tackle an outbreak of winter sickness bug norovirus.

Ward one, which treats stroke patients, has one confirmed case and five patients showing symptoms. The affected area has been temporarily closed to patient admissions, transfers and friends and relatives as bosses try to contain the highly contagious illness, which causes vomiting and diarrhoea.

The hospital’s infection control team was meeting today to discuss the situation.

It comes as City Hospital in Birmingham closed its D25 ward, which treats female patients with various surgical problems, after patients were struck down with diarrhoea and vomiting. Seven patients are affected.

Health chiefs say though patients’ illness is consistent with norovirus, tests on the people affected yesterday turned up negative for the bug.