Three wards have been closed at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry since yesterday afternoon as a result of an outbreak of Norovirus (vomiting bug).
The Western Trust have issued a notice to patients and visitors that Wards 3 (Respiratory), 41 (Acute Medical Unit) and 42 (Acute Elderly Medicine) remain closed to admissions.
A statement said that “the Trust’s Infection Prevention and Control team is continuing to provide advice to staff and increased infection control measures have been put in place in these wards.”
The situation is being reviewed daily.
Those who are visiting the hospital are asked to:
– Thoroughly wash their hands before and after visiting;
– Visitors should visit only one patient whilst at the hospital;
– Refrain from sitting on hospital beds
– Do not move from ward to ward when visiting.
People should also avoid visiting the hospital if they are feeling unwell
The temporary ward closures has impacted on the capacity within the Emergency Department at the hospital.
A spokesperson said: “Please be aware that if you are attending Altnagelvin’s Emergency Department you may experience a longer wait. Please consider your alternative health care choices, such as your GP, Out of Hours service or your local pharmacist.”
