AN OUTBREAK of a stomach virus has closed Selby War Memorial Hospital to new patients.

Norovirus, also known as the winter vomiting bug, was first detected on January 24, and is thought to have affected 11 patients.

A spokesman from NHS North Yorkshire and York said: “The inpatient ward is currently closed to new admissions following a confirmed case of norovirus.

“I have spoken to the infection control team and the ward is not closed to visitors but we do advise visitors of the risks of visiting patients. Deep cleaning has taken place and there is a possibility that some of the closed beds will reopen this weekend.”

The spokesman confirmed visitors had not been prevented from visiting, but had been given advice on how to prevent the bug spreading.

He also said a bay of four beds was likely to reopen in the hospital this weekend, following the deep clean.

In December, a surge of suspected cases of the virus, which causes diarrhoea and vomiting, led the Health Protection Agency to urge people not to visit relatives in hospitals or residential homes if there was a chance they could pass on the bug.

Andrew Collier, head of community infection prevention and control at NHS North Yorkshire and York, said: “People in hospitals, care or nursing homes are particularly vulnerable to infection.

“If you have symptoms, the best thing you can do to protect your loved ones is to delay any visits until fully recovered.”

Mr Collier said it was also important to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration, follow thorough hand-washing guidelines, and for infected children and adults to stay off work or school until they have been symptom-free for 48 hours.