Cumberland Infirmary: Four wards managing outbreak of norovirus

Visiting has been suspended at four wards at the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle as staff work to manage norovirus outbreaks on the hospital wards.

A spokesman for North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are currently managing four outbreaks of norovirus at the Cumberland Infirmary.

"We publicly share up to date information on our website to make sure visitors are aware of any ongoing outbreaks on our wards (Information for hospital visitors).

“Although norovirus (the most common cause of diarrhoea and vomiting) circulates all year round, it can be particularly prevalent during winter months.

"We ask that friends and family don’t visit if they have symptoms and continue not to visit until they are 48 hours clear of symptoms.

“Anyone who thinks they may have norovirus is advised to reschedule any outpatient appointments they may have, stay at home and call NHS 111 for advice if necessary. The nature of the virus means that it can spread extremely quickly in close knit environments such as schools, hospitals and care homes.”

Visiting has been suspended at wards Larch C, Elm C and wards Willow A and Willow B.

Director of public health for Cumberland, Colin Cox, has urged anyone who believes they may have norovirus to stay out of public settings to try and stop the spread of the virus.

Mr Cox said: "It is a winter virus and it spreads very very quickly, so in many ways this is no surprise that there are some outbreaks and I am sure the trust will be doing its upmost to manage those effectively.

"If you have got norovirus you will probably know about it because it's associated with significant diarrhoea and vomiting, so the key things are making sure you are keeping good hand hygiene, washing your hands whenever you can but also importantly you should try and stay off work, or out of school and any settings like that for 48 hours after you have got better, in order to try and prevent it from spreading to other people."