BEAUMONT HOSPITAL has issued an urgent appeal to the public to refrain from any unnecessary visiting this bank holiday weekend. Fifteen new cases of norovirus, also known as the winter vomiting virus, were detected at the hospital yesterday, bringing to 52 the number of patients displaying symptoms of the bug.
Only visits that are “absolutely essential” are allowed to any ward and, even then, are restricted to one visitor per patient. No children are allowed to visit under any circumstances. Visiting restrictions were introduced following the start of the outbreak a week ago.
The outbreak spread rapidly and continues to affect the majority of wards, the hospital has said. Nineteen beds are currently closed in the wards affected.
Norovirus usually lasts 24 to 48 hours and does not usually require medical treatment.
