A major hospital in London has closed several wards due to a norovirus outbreak, highlighting the ongoing spread of the highly contagious bug nationwide. St George's Hospital in Tooting took the drastic measure to protect new patients as cases in England continue to climb. Health officials are urging the public to prioritize hand washing as the number of hospital beds occupied by norovirus patients reaches record levels for this time of year.
A health boss has warned norovirus can 'rip through wards like wildfire' as a major hospital was forced to close three sick bays due to the vomiting bug.
Professor Arlene Wellman MBE, Group Chief Nurse for St George's, Epsom and St Helier, said: 'Once norovirus enters a hospital, it can rip through our wards like wildfire, making patients even sicker.'Hand sanitisers such as alcohol gel do not kill the bug – the simple act of good hand washing with soap and water can make all the difference between our beds being used to care for patients, or lying empty at a time when every bed is precious.
The North East and Yorkshire has been hit hardest by the virus with over 2,500 hospital beds in total occupied last week — 5.1 times the level recorded in the East of England. Officials said 'pressure on hospitals remains incredibly high' and urged Brits to keep frequently washing their hands to thwart transmission of the highly contagious virus.
According to the weekly NHS data, a total of 2,575 hospital beds in the North East and Yorkshire were either taken up or closed because of diarrhoea, vomiting and norovirus-like symptoms. According to the weekly NHS data, a total of 2,575 hospital beds in the North East and Yorkshire were either taken up because of diarrhoea, vomiting and norovirus-like symptoms
NOROVIRUS HOSPITAL OUTBREAK HANDWASHING NHS
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