Fifteen wards closed by norovirus

Eleven wards in Oldham have been closed to new admissions

Fifteen hospital wards in Greater Manchester have now been closed to new admissions in an attempt to stop the spread of the vomiting bug norovirus.

Eleven of those are at the Royal Oldham Hospital, where more than a quarter of the total are shut to new patients.

The closures mean 26 beds are unable to be used.

Restrictions are also in place at Bury's Fairfield General Hospital, North Manchester General Hospital in Crumpsall and Rochdale Infirmary.

Doctors estimate that more than 100,000 people a week are catching the bug around the UK.

Reported cases of the illness are at their highest level for five years, but the real figure is likely to be much greater as most sufferers do not seek medical attention.

NOROVIRUS Sudden vomiting and diarrhoea Some people also suffer fever and aches and pains Experts advise drinking plenty of fluids and to take paracetamol Stay at home for 48 hours after symptoms have gone away to avoid further spread Q&A: Norovirus 'It laid everybody low'

Vistiors are urged to stay away from hospitals if they have coughs, colds or stomach aches.

They are also being asked not to bring children onto the wards.

Patients who are due at the hospitals for appointments are being asked to arrive as normal, as the restrictions only apply to visitors.

Dr Marco Petrovic, a consultant in communicable diseases at the Health Protection Agency said it could be a while before the epidemic peters out.

"Typically, in most years numbers have started to decrease by about springtime," he said.

"This month and the coming few months will probably see the greatest activity."

A spokeswoman from the Pennine Acute NHS Trust said infection prevention teams imposed the restrictions to protect both patients and visitors.

Claire Chadwick, the trust's lead nurse for infection prevention and control, said: "This condition is circulating widely in the community, and we want to ensure that patients are well-protected against it.

"If people are in any doubt about visiting any of our hospitals then they should first contact the ward sister for advice."