Norovirus confirmed

Test results have confirmed that norovirus is the cause of a number of incidents of sickness and diarrhoea among residents and staff at St Rognvald’s House in Kirkwall.

Caroline Sinclair, head Orkney Health and Care, said: “For the time being, and as a precautionary measure, we are continuing to ask friends and relatives not to visit residents of the St Mary’s unit at St Rognvald’s.

“In general, we would ask anyone feeling ill, not to visit residents of our care facilities or the Balfour Hospital.”

Dr Louise Wilson, NHS Orkney’s director of public health, said: “There are steps we can all take to keep this bug at bay and I would encourage everyone to do all they can to help limit its spread.”

Precautions include:

• Washing hands regularly and thoroughly with hot water and soap, particularly after toilet visits and before eating.

• Staying away from work or school etc. until you have been free of symptoms for 48 hours.

• Only visiting friends or relatives in hospital or residential care homes when you have been free of symptoms for 48 hours.

• Not handling or preparing food for other people until you have been free of symptoms for 48 hours.