MEMBERS of the public are still being asked not to visit the Alexandra Hospital if they have been exposed to anyone with diarrhoea or vomiting or have been ill themselves in the last 48 hours.

Visiting is restricted to immediate family members only and a maximum of two visitors per patient at any one time.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the Alex as well as the Kidderminster and Worcester hospitals which are also affected, has asked that there be no visitors under the age of 16, in order to prevent the bug spreading from schools, nurseries and playgroups.

The hospital is making significant progress in bringing norovirus under control, thanks to hospital staff and some members of the public, but there are still cases where relatives and friends have brought the bug into hospital.

Helen Blanchard, chief nursing officer, said: “Norovirus is very common during the winter months.

“We would continue to ask anyone with any symptoms of norovirus infection such as diarrhoea and/or vomiting to stay at home and not come to the hospital until they have been symptom free for at least 48 hours.”

There is no specific treatment for norovirus apart from letting the illness run its course.

For more information people can telephone their GP or NHS Direct on 08454647.

Keep checking the Advertiser for the latest updates.