Winter vomiting virus subsides at Chester hospital

Oct 30 2008 by David Holmes, Chester Chronicle

THE latest outbreak of norovirus at the Countess of Chester Hospital appears to be almost over – but the ward remains closed to visitors.

The Countess closed ward 42, a cardiology ward, after several patients and staff displayed symptoms of the bug also known as winter vomiting virus.

But there is currently only one patient who is affected and no members of staff.

Ward 51 was closed to visitors in August due to norovirus and in January four wards were partially closed following an outbreak.

Meanwhile, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) North West is urging people with symptoms of norovirus not to visit their GP surgeries or hospital accident and emergency units and to stay away from work or school. Sufferers will recover naturally without treatment. Symptoms include diarrhoea, projectile vomiting and fever.