Norovirus outbreak closes three wards at London hospital as vomiting bug spreads
Norovirus outbreak closes three wards at London hospital as vomiting bug spreads
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Three wards at one of London's biggest hospitals have been closed due to an outbreak of the vomiting bug norovirus. St George’s Hospital in Tooting has decided to shut some bays or wards to admissions and transfers to protect new patients from being exposed to the virus. To help reduce the risk of the infection spreading, some bays or wards will be closed to admissions and transfers – to protect new patients from being exposed to the virus.
As new data from NHS England confirms cases of the highly infectious virus are still climbing, health chiefs are urging people to remember that a simple hack can stop the bug in its tracks. Professor Arlene Wellman MBE, Group Chief Nurse for St George’s, Epsom and St Helier, said: “Once norovirus enters a hospital, it can rip through our wards like wildfire, making patients even sicker. We are doing everything we can to limit the spread, but you can help us.
“Hand sanitisers such as alcohol gel do not kill the bug – the simple act of good hand washing with soap and water can make all the difference between our beds being used to care for patients, or lying empty at a time when every bed is precious. * Feeling sick·. * Being sick. * Diarrhoea. You may also have:. * A high temperature. * A headache. * Tummy pain. * Body aches and pains. * Occasional fever. ”Norovirus symptoms usually last for 2 to 3 days – but people remain infectious for up to 48-72 hours after symptoms have stopped, so people should not visit hospitals or care facilities, or prepare food for others. There is no specific treatment for norovirus, but drinking plenty of fluids is advised to avoid dehydration.”.
The ward closures were revealed a day after health officials warned hospitals in England “close to full” as medics deal with a rising tide of people suffering with the winter vomiting bug. NHS England said pressure on hospital capacity remained high last week with an average of 96% adult beds occupied and a total of 98,101 patients in hospital each day - higher than at any point so far this winter.
One leading medic warned that problems with so-called "delayed discharges" means that hospitals can "grind to a halt". An average of 13,776 hospital beds per day were filled last week in England with patients who were fit to be discharged, according to the latest weekly snapshot of the performance of hospitals in England. This was up from 13,426 the previous week. On average, 41% of patients ready to leave hospital last week were actually discharged each day.
The figures also reveal that the number of people in hospital in England with norovirus is continuing to climb and has hit another new high for this winter. An average of 961 hospital beds were filled each day last week by patients with diarrhoea and vomiting or norovirus-like symptoms, up 7% from 898 the previous week. Professor Julian Redhead, NHS England's national clinical director for urgent and emergency care, said: "Hospitals are continuing to treat hundreds of patients who are ill with the highly infectious and unpleasant norovirus bug, with the rate of cases at the highest level recorded for this time of year since 2020.
"The twin pressures of winter viruses and problems discharging patients means hospitals are close to full - even as more beds have been opened to manage the increased demand. "While pressures on hospitals remains incredibly high, it's vital people continue to use NHS services in the normal way - using 111 and 111 online if you need advice and support for health conditions, and only using 999 or attend A&E in life-threatening emergencies.".
Amy Douglas, epidemiologist at UK Health Security Agency, said: "Norovirus cases are way above what we would usually see at this time of year and outbreaks in hospitals continue to rise. "Just because you've had norovirus doesn't mean you won't get it again. "It's really important that if you have diarrhoea and vomiting, you take steps to avoid passing the infection on. Please avoid visiting people in hospitals and care homes to prevent passing on the infection in these settings.
"Do not return to work, school or nursery until 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped and don't prepare food for others in that time either. This is because you can still pass on the virus in the days after you stop being sick.”. Dr Adrian Boyle, president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said: "The system is gridlocked. When there is so little capacity, the flow of patients through the hospital grinds to a halt.”.
