December 28, 2015 4.43 pm This story is over 99 months old

Norovirus outbreak surges as more wards closed at Lincoln County Hospital

Norovirus outbreak : The number of wards closed at Lincoln County Hospital has risen to 12.
People are being warned not to visit Lincoln County Hospital.

A total of 12 wards have now been closed at Lincoln County Hospital since the beginning of the Norovirus outbreak which started in the middle of December.

Officials at the hospital continue to urge visitors and non-emergency patients to stay away as they only have a limited number of beds whilst the affected wards are being deep cleaned.

As previously reported, the number of visitors allowed to see a patient at any one time is currently restricted and will not be allowed on the ward if they have shown signs of vomiting or diarrhoea in the last 72 hours or if they have suffered from flu like symptoms.

Visiting restrictions will be enforced on a case-by-case basis, and where visitors are allowed, the number of visitors per patient should be strictly limited to a maximum of two at a time in all but exceptional circumstances.

No children will be permitted to enter medical wards during this outbreak.

The advice from, Dr Suneil Kapadia, medical director of United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, is:“If you have norovirus symptoms, please do not attend A&E. The best thing you can do is rest, and take plenty of non-caffeinated drinks to avoid dehydration.”

“We have seen a high number of wards affected by this outbreak of norovirus, with a number of patients being admitted into hospital with the virus.

“Exceptionally, we have also seen that those suffering from norovirus have taken longer than we would usually expect to recover, often due to the frail nature of these patients.

“We are taking the action to restrict hospital visiting in order to limit the spread of the virus and to protect our vulnerable patients.

“Symptoms of norovirus include diarrhoea and vomiting and, just like flu, the virus can seriously affect vulnerable patients.”