A BAN on visitors to Whipps Cross University Hospital is still in place in an attempt to combat an outbreak of the winter vomiting bug.

A total of eleven wards on the Leytonstone site have now been closed to new admissions as Norovirus and other infections, such as flu and other seasonal illnesses, continue to spread.

Security has been placed on main entrances at the Leytonstone site to ensure the ban is enforced and shops, the hospital’s restaurant and recruitment sections have been closed as a precaution.

One ‘birth partner’ will be permitted in the Maternity Department and children will be kept away.

Only one parent will be allowed to accompany patients on the children’s ward.

Permission to visit will only be given in exceptional circumstances, the hospital trust said.

The visitor ban was first introduced last week to prevent the spread of viruses to vulnerable patients.

Cathy Geddes, Director of Nursing said: “While we appreciate this is a difficult time for the local community and relatives of patients on our wards, we want to reassure everybody that we are taking this very seriously and implementing strict temporary measures to return to normal business as quickly as possible.

“We are working closely with relevant external agencies who are guiding us through this process.

“We apologise for any inconvenience and upset this may cause and ask that the general public are supportive during this time.”

Norovirus is a common winter ailment, which can be highly contagious and causes symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea.

Anyone who has had any vomiting and / or diarrhoea within the last 7 days and / or is unwell, feeling unwell (e.g. suffering a tummy bug) should not attend hospital.

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