01 April 2010
Corbiere Ward at the General Hospital, which was closed as a result of Norovirus activity, has now re-opened following the interventions put in place. However, Portelet Ward within the General Hospital, and Samares Ward remain closed at the moment.
There have been no further wards closed, and new norovirus cases are not being detected.
Despite the apparent slow-down in the number of cases, people who do not need to visit the General Hospital continue to be asked to consider whether their visit is essential, particularly over the Easter break, as part of the measures to control Norovirus which is currently circulating in both Jersey and the UK.
To help counteract Norovirus, there will continue to be an increased emphasis on hygiene and appropriate limitation of movement of staff and patients.
Some care homes are also affected. They are taking all due precautions and will restrict visiting as needed.
Consultant microbiologist Dr Ivan Muscat said: “The overall number of affected patients has not gone up. A number of staff remain affected. We are hopeful that the two wards currently closed will re-open next week.
“We would stress that the hospital is fully able to take all emergency and urgent admissions, but some non-urgent cases of elective surgery continue to be postponed. All urgent cases are of course going ahead.
“If any routine procedures need to be postponed the hospital will contact the relevant patients directly. All admissions to the Day Surgery Unit continue to go ahead as normal.
“We wish to assure members of the public that quality of clinical management of the patients in all wards and care homes whether affected by noro virus or not will not be compromised.
“Members of the public are asked not to visit the hospital or care homes if they have symptoms which include diarrhoea with or without nausea or vomiting, abdominal pain and/or fever. Should you develop these symptoms, you are advised to visit your
GP.
“The situation will be reviewed at least daily by senior hospital managers, public health and community infection control,’ added Dr Muscat.
“We stress that the most single effective way to prevent spread is with hand washing, using soap and water, and to clean up any spills immediately using a bleach based disinfectant if appropriate.”
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