Ward closures after norovirus outbreaks

Outbreaks of the winter vomiting bug norovirus have led to ward closures and visiting restrictions at West Midland hospitals.

Hospitals in Sandwell, Birmingham, Walsall and Stafford have been hit. A total of three wards, one at Sandwell and two at City remain closed to new admissions today. Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust closed wards, as cases were confirmed at the weekend.

Normal visiting regulations still apply.

Richard Kirby, trust chief operating officer said wards will remain closed until deep cleaning has taken place.

He said: "Priory three ward at Sandwell and D47 and D18 at City are closed to admissions as a result or norovirus. We believe we are near the end of the outbreak and are close to re-opening, which we hope will be in the next day or two.

"We sense there is a lot of norovirus in the community.

"We are working hard to make sure we contain it and will be carrying out deep cleaning before we reopen the wards."

Mike Browne, Walsall Manor Hospital medical director, confirmed one ward is closed at the hospital.

He said: "We currently have five patients with symptoms of norovirus on Ward 15. At this stage we have received no confirmed diagnosis from the Infection Control Team but have closed the ward as a precautionary measure.

"We would like to remind everyone of the importance of good hand hygiene and would ask anyone who has been unwell in the last 48 hours not to visit the hospital."

Norovirus hit three wards at Stafford Hospital, although one of the wards has re-opened. Ward 10 remains closed while new admissions are not being made to the acute medical unit because of the virus.

It has been confirmed that there are no cases of norovirus at New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton or Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley.