A WARD was forced to close at the Countess of Chester Hospital last week due to the winter vomiting virus.

The care of the elderly ward was closed to new admissions as a result of the 48-hour norovirus – which causes vomiting and diarrhoea.

Spokesman Stephen Wintersun said: “It’s nearly all reopened now apart from one bay, about six beds. We’ve actually had an improvement on last week.”

Nationally, thousands of people have been affected by the norovirus and figures from the Health Protection Agency confirm cases are the highest for five years.

Regional communications manager for the regional Health Protection Agency, Hugh Lamont, said: “We are trying hard not to bring it in to GP surgeries and hospitals. But we know there’s a lot of it about.

“We haven’t had any reports of schools being affected, but they have just gone back.”

The Health Protection Agency North West is urging people with the virus to avoid bringing it into GP surgeries, hospitals and residential care homes.

Consultant in communicable disease control with the Health Protection Agency Cheshire and Merseyside, Dr Evdokia Dardamissis, said: “The norovirus causes an unpleasant but generally short-lived illness that usually lasts about three days.

“People can feel quite poorly whilst they are ill, but there is no specific treatment other than rest and lots of drinks to replace lost fluids.

“It is unnecessary for people with a norovirus infection to visit GP surgeries or hospital accident and emergency departments. If symptoms persist, or seem to get worse, patients should phone NHS Direct or ask for a telephone consultation with their GP.”

For more details, call NHS Direct, the 24-hour nurse-led health information service, on 0845 4647.