Balfour acute ward remains closed due to virus outbreak

The acute ward at Balfour hospital remains closed to admissions due to a suspected outbreak of winter vomiting virus.

An outbreak control team has been formed to ensure all appropriate precautions are taken to minimise any risk to patients, visitors and staff.

John Trainor, hospital manager, said: “The outbreak control team are continuing to monitor the situation. No patients have been affected, although some staff are continuing to show symptoms.

“The advice for visitors remains the same. Please don’t come in unless absolutely necessary, and don’t visit if you have been unwell within the last 48 hours. Children under the age of 12 should not come into the ward.”

The outbreak team will meet again this morning and an update on the situation is expected later today.