Virus outbreak at Countess of Chester Hospital leads to restricted visiting

Mar 3 2010 by David Holmes, Chester Chronicle

THE general wing at the Countess of Chester Hospital is operating a restricted visiting policy due to an outbreak of vomiting and diarrhoea.

To help protect patients from the norovirus, the Countess has implemented strict infection control measures across the hospital.

No visitors are allowed on any wards in the general wing except by prior arrangement with the nurse in charge of the particular ward by calling the switchboard on 01244 365000.

Only the general wing is affected – the women & children’s building and outpatient clinic areas are operating as normal.

Visiting restrictions apply to wards 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, AMU, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, ITU, HDU & CCU.

Norovirus or ‘winter vomiting’ is a highly-contagious infection that also causes diarrhoea. It can spread quickly in place such as hospitals, schools, nurseries, residential care homes and workplaces. Practising good personal hygiene, particularly thorough hand-washing, is very important.

Anyone suffering from norovirus should stay at home and avoid contact with others where possible. People affected must stay off work, school or nursery until they have been free of symptoms for 48 hours to prevent the spread to other people.