Published at 00:00, Monday, 14 January 2008

A NEW sickness outbreak has prompted bosses to close a ward at the West Cumberland Hospital, Whitehaven, to new admissions.

The diarrhoea and vomiting bug, known as the Norovirus, was identified on Buttermere ward over the weekend.

The virus has been rife in the wider community all winter, prompting several similar closures at sites in both Whitehaven and Carlisle.

The North Cumbria Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs both hospitals, have just reopened three wards at the Cumberland Infirmary following a similar outbreak.

Larch A and B and Maple A were closed to new admissions last week but were given the all-clear at the weekend following a deep clean.

The Carlisle hospital is now virus-free but remains on alert. Visitors to both sites are reminded to take extra precautions to prevent its spread, including using hand gels provided, and staying at home if they feel or have been unwell.

Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk