Updated: WARDS have been closed and appeals sent out to visitors after a crippling winter sickness bug made an unwelcome return to York Hospital.

Staff at the Wigginton Road site have been forced to put infection control plans into action following the reappearance of the highly-contagious norovirus, which has left it about 30 beds short.

Seven wards have been closed to admissions and some bays in other areas have also been shut off in a bid to combat and contain the spread of the bug, which causes violent bouts of vomiting and diarrhoea and has affected general medical and elderly care areas.

It is the first time signs of norovirus have been seen at the hospital this winter, with the strain it has put on its operation expected to last throughout this week, and it has led to health bosses asking people to stay away if they believe they may be suffering from its symptoms.

The latest battle against the bug comes just days after the hospital’s new visitors’ code – including a ban on flowers and plants being taken on to wards, handwashing guidance and advice on how visitors can help ensure infections do not spread – came into force.

“The hospital is currently experiencing suspected cases of norovirus, which has led to some wards, and bays within wards, being closed to admissions,” said a spokeswoman for York Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. While our staff are working hard to isolate the infection and keep the spread to a minimum, we must also ask for support from visitors.

Our visitors’ code outlines what people need to do, and these measures are particularly important when we have norovirus in the hospital.

“This includes staying away if they have signs or symptoms of the virus – such as vomiting or diarrhoea – and not visiting until they have been clear of the symptoms for at least 48 hours. They should keep their hands clean and avoid bringing children into the hospital where possible.

“They can call the hospital before visiting to find out if a particular ward is closed and we ask them to respect the fact that, if a ward is closed, visitors are not permitted unless there are special circumstances.”