Norovirus outbreak in Princess Royal University hospital children’s ward forces visitor restrictions
Only birthing partners and parents of sick kids allowed in as staff battle to stop the highly contagious disease spreading
A MAJOR hospital has been hit by an outbreak of the "winter vomiting bug" norovirus.
The highly contagious disease was reported on a number of wards at the Princess Royal University Hospital in Orpington, Kent.
The children's ward and maternity unit have been forced to turn visitors away as staff battle to stop the bug spreading.
Restricted visiting conditions meaning only parents and grandparents can visit the children’s ward and only birthing partners can visit maternity, the hospital said.
King’s College Hospital NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, said deep cleans were being carried out on all wards and staff were urged to be extra vigilant with infection control.
A spokesman : “Although not all areas are affected, we know how quickly the virus can spread.
"Closing all wards to visitors is a step we are taking to control the virus, and to prevent it spreading further.
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“Our top priority is the safety and wellbeing of all patients, and we are taking this precaution to prevent the virus from spreading in the hospital and the local community.”
The highly contagious bug causes diarrhoea and vomiting and usually lasts two or three days.