Alert as new wave of Norovirus hits West Midland hospitals
A fresh wave of sickness bug norovirus has hit the region's hospitals, closing wards and leading to warnings for visitors to wash their hands before going to see patients.
All wards at Sandwell Hospital were closed to visitors today to stop the spread of norovirus after dozens of patients contracted the bug.
Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals Trust confirmed the decision had been made for restrictions to remain in place today.
Wards closed to patients are Lyndon Three, Lyndon Four and Five and Priory Ward Five.
Closures first took place yesterday and were extended into today to prevent spread of the bug.
A meeting will take place tomorrow morning to assess the situation and see if closures should remain in place for a third day.
Spokesman Abigail Parkin said: "All wards remain closed off to visitors and four to patients at the present time. This will be reviewed again tomorrow." Among wards affected is one in the Clinical Haematology Department at New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton.
The ward, in the Heart and Lung Centre, was hit by the bug on Friday and two patients are now displaying symptoms.
Officials said stringent controls had been put into place to prevent the virus spreading and the outbreak was being managed and assessed in line with the hospital's outbreak policy.
The ward, caring for patients including those with cancer, cannot be closed due to the type of patients and treatments they get. However, any new admissions are being assessed and allocated appropriate rooms to prevent further spread.
Miss Carolyn Wiley, Operational Nurse Manager for Infection Prevention, said: "We can confirm that a number of patients in the hospital's Clinical Haematology Department have contracted norovirus. This is being controlled and constantly assessed under our Outbreak Policy.
"We are asking people who themselves have been unwell not to visit sick friends or relatives at the hospital until they are symptom-free for at least two days as this can put patients at risk.
"Visitors are also encouraged to wash their hands with soap and water and apply hand gel situated in every ward before and after visiting."
The outbreak comes after all wards were closed to visitors at Kidderminster Hospital and Sandwell Hospital.