Concerned residents across north Shropshire are being reassured by hospital staff that the sickness bug epidemic has not yet hit the district.
Whitchurch Hospital told the North Shropshire Chronicle that the winter vomiting bug, or norovirus, which is said to be plaguing the country, is yet to take hold in north Shropshire.
The illness, with symptoms including diarrhoea and vomiting, has no specific treatment and doctors are advising people to drink lots of fluids and let the illness run its course.
Earlier this month the coronary care unit at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital was closed to new admissions due to an outbreak of a sickness and diarrhoea bug, but Whitchurch Hospital bosses are staying positive.
Julie Thornby, director of corporate affairs for Shropshire County PCT, said: “There are no particular problems with the norovirus at Whitchurch hospital currently.”
The hospital has opened up four new beds to cater for extra patients but this is just company policy, as illness often increases at this time of the year.
Nicky Jaques, spokesperson for Whitchurch Hospital, said: “We have a policy with the hospital that when things get busy, which is often the case this time of year, we can open up extra beds. It is just four extra beds that are open for a month. The beds have not been provided because of the sickness bug, but it is quite common we need extra beds after Christmas. There have been no major outbreaks of the virus reported locally that I have heard of.”
The virus is said to come round each winter and the symptoms can last from 12 to 60 hours.
Miss Thornby said: “People can remain infectious after their last symptoms have stopped so it is important that anyone who has been ill with it stays away from school or work for 48 hours after the diarrhoea and vomiting have stopped.
“If you need medical advice, call NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or ring your GP.”
