NOROVIRUS- THANKS-TO COMMUNITY-FOR-SUPPORT
Posted on Tuesday 20th January 2015
North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust would like to thank the local community for their continued support in keeping norovirus out of its hospitals.
Last week the Trust appealed to potential visitors to stay away from the Cumberland Infirmary unless their visit was absolutely essential to try to minimise the spread of the virus. Many people have respected this request, but some patients are still receiving large groups of visitors, so the Trust is issuing the following reminder:
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If you or a family member has had diarrhoea, vomiting or ‘flu-like’ symptoms in the last two days, please DO NOT visit
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No more than two visitors should visit each patient at any one time
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Children and frail elderly visitors are particularly at risk and should avoid visiting patients in hospital if possible.
While the number of patients showing symptoms of norovirus at the Cumberland Infirmary has gone down since last week, a significant number of patients are still affected and the virus is still circulating widely in the community.
Gail Naylor, director of nursing & midwifery at the Trust, said: “We would like to thank the community for taking on board our request only to visit patients if absolutely necessary. We know that sometimes visitors feel they must take every opportunity to visit sick friends or relatives, but reducing the number of people passing through our hospitals reduces the chances of infection.
“Anyone who still feels they need to visit is asked to follow strict hand washing guidance and to ask staff on the ward if unsure of how to minimise the risk of infection.
“If you have had vomiting or diarrhoea yourself, please stay away until you have been symptom-free for at least two days. If you are worried about prolonged symptoms, you can ring 111, or your GP. They will be able to provide advice for people who are at greater risk from dehydration from diarrhoea and vomiting, such as children under the age of five or the elderly.”
If you have an appointment at the hospital and have had vomiting or diarrhoea in the past two days, please call the number on your appointment letter. If you have shown no symptoms, please attend as usual.
Good hand hygiene can help to limit the spread of the infection and there are some simple steps that the public can take to help stop a norovirus spreading:
Posted on Tuesday 20th January 2015