Suspected Norovirus Outbreak DGRI
Written by author on December 11, 2012
NHS Dumfries and Galloway is implementing full and robust outbreak contol measures as a result of suspected norovirus or “winter vomiting bug” at DGRI.
Following this morning’s Outbreak Control Team meeting, the following ward closures are confirmed:
Wards 9, 12, and 18 are closed to new admissions and transfers.
Currently a cumulative total of 43 patients and 25 staff have been affected since the outbreak began last week.
The following arrangements remain in place:
The Hospital’s Infection Control Team is closely monitoring the situation to ensure that all appropriate infection control procedures are in place.
Staff are working hard to minimise the discomfort and distress for patients and to maintain services.
However, the advice to members of the public wishing to visit the closed wards is as follows:
Routine visiting to the three closed wards( 9,12, and18) is suspended meantime and members of the public seeking to visit relatives and friends in hospital are advised not to travel whilst the outbreak measures are ongoing – to avoid the potential for further spread.
Visiting restrictions imposed on other wards during the weekend past have since been lifted but will continue to be reviewed in the light of any increase in cases reported.
Where circumstances are such that relatives are concerned about the need to visit their loved ones in the affected wards they are asked to contact the ward concerned before coming to the hospital.
All members of the public visiting other areas of the hospital are asked to comply with the hand hygiene and infection control measures in place.
Any members of the public who may themselves be feeling the affects of the bug, are advised not to travel to visit.
