Hospital shuts three wards due to norovirus outbreak

Three wards at a south-west London hospital have been closed due to an outbreak of the winter vomiting bug norovirus.

St George's Hospital in Tooting said it would also close some bays or wards to admissions and transfers to reduce the risk of the infection spreading.

Health chiefs have urged people to wash their hands with soap and water to limit the spread after new data from NHS England confirmed cases of the highly infectious virus were continuing to climb.

"Once norovirus enters a hospital, it can rip through our wards like wildfire, making patients even sicker," said Prof Arlene Wellman, group chief nurse for St George's Hospital.

Norovirus symptoms usually last for two to three days but people can remain infectious for up to 72 hours after symptoms have stopped.

Symptoms of the bug include feeling sick, vomiting and diarrhoea.

The virus can also bring a high temperature, headache, stomach pain, body aches and the occasional fever.

"We are doing everything we can to limit the spread, but you can help us," Prof Wellman said.

"Hand sanitisers such as alcohol gel do not kill the bug – the simple act of good hand washing with soap and water can make all the difference between our beds being used to care for patients, or lying empty at a time when every bed is precious."

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