Advice issued after virus outbreak at Wrexham hospital

Wrexham Maelor Hospital has introduced restrictions on admissions to four of its wards after an outbreak of diarrhoea and vomiting.

A number of cases had been reported in the coronary care unit last week, but over the weekend patients on a number of other wards began to display symptoms.

A spokesperson for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board said the nature of the outbreak suggests it is caused by a viral infection, with tests so far showing no evidence to suggest it is norovirus.

To help avoid the virus spreading, hospital patients and visitors have been asked to take the following steps:

• Do not come to hospital as a visitor if you have had symptoms of diarrhoea or vomiting during the last 48 hours.

• If you are due to come as a patient and have had these symptoms in the last 48 hours, please telephone the ward or department for advice first.

• Follow the advice on signs and notices and from staff on areas where visiting is restricted.

• Always disinfect your hands when entering or leaving ward areas.

• There should be no more than two visitors per bed at any time.

• Please don’t bring young children to visit.

• Visitors should not sit on the beds.