Virus causes four ward closures

Four wards at hospitals in Nottingham have been closed because of the winter vomiting bug - norovirus.

The wards have been shut to new admissions because of the stomach bug, hospital officials said.

The closure has hit two wards at the Queen's Medical Centre and two at Nottingham City Hospital.

The wards have not been accepting new admissions since the beginning of the week, a spokesman for the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust said.

The wards need to be clear of the virus for 72 hours and have a deep clean before they can reopen.

The virus causes fever, sickness and diarrhoea and lasts for about 24 to 48 hours. It is usually mild, but for people who are already unwell it can slow their recovery.