A ward at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital has been closed to new admissions because of patients who have Norovirus.

The stomach bug, also known as the winter vomiting bug, is beginning to circulate in the community.

Professor Nancy Fontaine, NNUH Chief Nurse and Director of Infection Prevention, said: “It is that time of year where we see Norovirus circulating in the community and our advice is to wash your hands as a matter of routine with hot, soapy water upon entering and leaving a ward.

Hand sanitisers and alcohol gel will work against some bacteria and flu viruses but they will not protect you against Norovirus. To help keep Norovirus out of hospitals, it is important that people do not visit patients if they have been ill with a stomach bug in the previous three days or in close contact with someone who has had sickness or diarrhoea.”