Norovirus seals off second ward

Asecondwardat Raigmore Hospital in Inverness has been closed due to an outbreak of norovirus.

Ward 6C was closed on Thursday after two patients tested positive for the highly contagious bug, and two more had shown symptoms.

The cardiac ward remains closed, with six patients now having symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting, and three patients have tested positive for norovirus.

Yesterday, Raigmore’s Intensive Therapy Unit (ITU) ward was also closed to new admissions and transfers, following two patients testing positive.

Dr Jonathan Whiteside, consultant in intensive care medicine, said: “While the ITU ward itself is closed to new admissions and transfers we have been able to keep the service running by putting ITU facilities within the theatre recovery area.

“In effectwe have moved ITU to a different location which will allow us to admit emergency patients who require this level of care.”

Norovirus, which causes diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting, can spread in the air where someone has had diarrhoea or has vomited, and is extremely difficult to contain.

It may also spread by touching surfaces contaminated by the vomit or diarrhoea.

Dr Jonty Mills, consultant microbiologist for NHS Highland, said: “As well as restricting visiting to the affectedwardsweare asking people not to come to the hospital to visit if theyhavehadany vomiting or diarrhoea within the previous 48 hours.

“Hospital staff will, of course, be very happy to talk to visitors on the phone.”

Raigmore Hospital has multiple cases of the illness