PATIENTS have been warned to stay away from a major hospital as it grapples with the stubborn winter bug norovirus.
Portsmouth residents have already been asked not to go to A&E at the Queen Alexandra Hospital unless it was a genuine emergency, as staff readied themselves for an Easter rush of patients.
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“Emergency departments are for life-threatening injuries and conditions, and are not the right place for non-urgent injuries or illnesses,” a notice posted to the Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust website said.
Health bosses warned that as many as 400 people go to Queen Alexandra Hospital’s A&E each day during bank holiday weekends, “including those who could be better treated elsewhere”.
Now, the Cosham-based hospital warned patients that “strict measures have been introduced” in wards “to stop the spread of norovirus”.
It’s a nasty diarrhoea and vomiting bug that’s usually most prevalent in colder winter months, but this year’s wave has stayed “stubbornly high” well into spring.
“Norovirus is highly contagious and can spread rapidly in healthcare settings, putting vulnerable patients and healthcare workers at risk,” hospital bosses warned patients.
“We are asking that if you are feeling unwell or experiencing nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea you do not attend the hospital unless it is a medical emergency.
“If you need urgent medical advice please contact NHS 111 online or call NHS 111.”
It asked patients attending scheduled appointments or planning to visit A&E to think twice before doing so if they had telltale norovirus symptoms.
“If you are experiencing symptoms and are due to attend an outpatient appointment, please phone the department ahead for advice and guidance before attending the hospital,” the trust suggested.
“In addition, people are asked not to visit the hospital if they have had any of these symptoms in the past 48 hours.
“This includes the Emergency Department or any outpatient appointments.”
Symptoms of the bug include sudden onset of nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and stomach pain.
These are often accompanied by a mild temperature or body aches.
The most recent data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for the week ending March 30, showed that norovirus cases had started to decrease somewhat but still “remained high”.
Norovirus: Key symptoms + how to protect yourself
The main symptoms or norovirus, according to the NHS, are:
- Feeling sick (nausea)
- Diarrhoea
- Being sick (vomiting)
You may also have:
- A high temperature
- A headache
- Aching arms and legs
You can usually treat norovirus at home – the most important thing to do is rest and have lots of fluids to avoid dehydration.
As norovirus is easily spread it’s important to do what you can to prevent catching it.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends four things you can do to protect yourself.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially:
- After using the toilet or changing nappies
- Before eating, preparing, or handling food
- Before giving yourself or someone else medicine
It’s important to be aware hand sanitisers don’t always work well against norovirus.
You can use them in addition to hand washing, but it shouldn’t be a substitution.
Before preparing and eating your food the CDC recommends the following:
- Carefully wash fruits and vegetables well
- Cook oysters and other shellfish thoroughly to an internal temperature of at least 63°C
- Routinely clean and sanitise kitchen utensils, cutting boards, counters, and surfaces, especially after handling shellfish
- Keep raw oysters away from ready-to-eat food in your shopping basket, refrigerator, and on cutting boards
- Throw away food that might contain norovirus
Noroviruses are relatively resistant to heat and can survive temperatures as high as 63°C.
Quick steaming processes will not heat foods enough to kill noroviruses.
And be aware food contaminated with norovirus may look, smell, or taste normal.
After someone with norovirus vomits and has diarrhoea you should:
- Wear rubber or disposable gloves and wipe the entire area with paper towels and throw them in a plastic trash bag
- Disinfect the area as directed on the product label
- Leave bleach disinfectant on the affected area for at least five minutes
- Clean the entire area again with soap and hot water
- Wash laundry, take out the trash, and wash your hands
An expert recently warned norovirus can spread via clothes.
Immediately remove and wash clothes or linens that may have vomit or poo on them.
When you do this:
- Wear rubber or disposable gloves
- Handle items carefully without shaking them
- Wash the items with detergent and hot water at the maximum available cycle length and then machine dry them at the highest heat setting
- Wash your hands after with soap and water
The were 2,388 confirmed cases in the three weeks leading up to March 30, almost 9 per lower than the previous three-week period but still more than double the amount of cases usually seen at this time of year.
The number of norovirus outbreaks reported during that same chunk of time were also 22 per cent higher than usual.
Visits restricted
Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust also released guidance for anybody visiting the premises.
It asked people to wash their hands with soap and water regularly when entering and exiting the ward and hospital.
Visits are also being limited to one designated friend or family member per patient for one hour a day.
People will need to contact the ward directly to book a slot, they can’t just turn up – visiting hours are from 10am to 2pm, and 5pm to 8pm, seven days a week.
The Trust said these restrictions will not apply to patients who need end-of-life care or require additional support.
No changes were made for visits to children or maternity wards.
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Ann Thomas, Chief Nurse and Director of Infection, Prevention Control at the trust said: “We are continuing to see high numbers of norovirus cases in our hospital setting and people are continuing to visit the hospital with norovirus symptoms.
“Whilst we recognise how important visitors are to the overall wellbeing of our patients, we must stop the spread of this virus in our hospitals to protect our vulnerable patients and staff.”
It follows several hospitals across the UK pleading with patients not to visit A&E over the upcoming bank holiday unless completely necessary.
The Surrey Heartlands Health and Care Partnership – which oversees NHS hospitals and GP surgeries in Surrey – advised patients to use NHS 111 and pharmacies for non-emergencies and minor ailments.
The Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – which runs the Doncaster Royal Infirmary, Bassetlaw Hospital and Montagu Hospital – followed suit.
Dr Nick Mallaband, acting executive medical director of the trust, said: “Bank holidays can be especially busy for the NHS.
“If you take time now to check you’ve got enough of your regular medications, know which local services are open, and understand where to go if you need help, you’ll be doing your bit to help keep emergency care free for those with urgent and life-threatening issues.”
