Braintree: Wards shut after virus outbreak (From Braintree and Witham Times)

Braintree: Wards shut after virus outbreak

12:15pm Tuesday 29th December 2009

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HOSPITAL wards have been closed due to a norovirus outbreak.

General wards at William Julien Courtauld Hospital in Braintree have been shut, but the maternity unit is unaffected.

Three wards at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford are also closed to new admissions following continuing problems due to norovirus, which causes diarrhoea and vomiting.

Dr Louise Teare, director of infection prevention at control, at Mid Essex Hospitals, said: "We know that norovirus is causing problems at a number of hospitals and healthcare facilities in mid Essex. Because of this we have temporarily closed three wards at Broomfield Hospital to new admissions.

"This virus, which causes diarrhoea and vomiting, can be very unpleasant so people are advised to stay at home and drink plenty of fluids."

Visitors who have the virus are being urged not to see hospital patients until they have been symptom free for at least 48 hours.

Dr Teare said: "Our main objective is to try and prevent this virus from being brought into the hospital and affecting our staff and patients. We needs the public's help to do this.”

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