WHIPPS Cross University Hospital is now closed to most patients until further notice in a bid to stop the spread of the norovirus, or winter vomiting bug.

An outbreak of the bug was first reported at the Leytonstone hospital two weeks ago and a ban on all visitors was put in place 10 days ago.

It is highly contagious, spreading on surfaces and in the air, and causes vomiting and diarrhoea.

The bug can be especially dangerous for vulnerable patients, including the elderly.

A total of 11 wards were initially closed to new admissions but it has now risen to 19, including accident and emergency, leaving only four open.

All routine surgery is being sent to other hospitals and 'blue light' ambulance patients will also be sent elsewhere.

The hospital is now closed to all emergency and non-urgent admissions with the exception of maternity, children's accident and emergency and day surgery following advice from the Health Protection Agency (HPA).

It will continue to carry out diagnostics and outpatient clinics but it is now almost fully closed.

The norovirus is said to have had a “serious impact” on the work of Whipps Cross and it could be kept in lockdown for up to three days so that patients with the bug can recover.

The decision to close the hospital was made at 6pm yesterday following discussions with the HPA, NHS London, ambulance services, local primary care trusts and nearby hospitals.

Whipps Cross chief executive Dr Lucy Moore said: "The hospital may be closed for up to 72 hours on HPA advice to allow the virus to clear from the cohort of patients currently infected with the virus.

“We apologise to any patients whose treatment is cancelled during this period but it is vital that we gain some time and breathing space to ensure the norovirus bug is clear from our wards before reopening to patients and visitors.”

Walk-in patients can still visit the urgent care centre and ambulances will only take patients who can be seen at the centre to Whipps Cross.