Four wards shut over sickness bug

Norovirus causes sudden vomiting and diarrhoea

Four wards have been closed to new patients at a hospital in Coventry after a "serious" outbreak of a winter vomiting bug.

Non-essential visitors are being asked to stay away from University Hospital where workers and patients on eight wards have been affected by norovirus.

The hospital said it was considering transferring some convalescents to the virus-free Hospital St Cross in Rugby.

Anyone planning to visit is being asked to contact the ward sister first.

University Hospital medical director Dr Richard Kennedy said: "While we appreciate that it can be difficult to ask relatives to stay away when their loved ones are in hospital, we hope they would acknowledge that we don't take the decision to restrict visiting lightly, and it is made in the best interest of our patients."

He said the outbreak was "serious" and added: "The trust is asking that visitors not come to the Coventry site at all unless there are compassionate reasons, which must be discussed with the ward sister first."

The eight wards affected by norovirus include the four which have been closed to new patients.

Anyone who thinks they could be suffering from the diarrhoea and vomiting bug should contact their GP.