News

Medical Ward 2 in Western Isles Hospital reopened to new admissions on Monday afternoon following an outbreak of Norovirus.

Medical Ward 1 reopened on December 28 after a closure as a result of cases of diarrhoea and vomiting (D&V). Surgical Ward has been restricted since December 29.

Medical Wards 1 and 2 had been closed to new adult medical admissions on December 27. An Incident Management Team was established to ensure all necessary measures were in place to prevent further spread.

Visitors continue to be requested not to visit inpatients if they have any symptoms or feel unwell. Those with D&V symptoms should not visit until they have been at least 48 hours symptom-free.

Norovirus can spread very easily and you can catch norovirus from:  

• close contact with someone with norovirus  
• touching surfaces or objects that have the virus on them, then touching your mouth  
• eating food that's been prepared or handled by someone with norovirus  

You can get norovirus more than once because the virus is always changing and your body is unable to build up long-term resistance to it.  

Washing your hands frequently with soap and water is the best way to stop it spreading. Alcohol hand gels do not kill norovirus.  

Maintain basic hygiene and cleaning to help stop the spread of norovirus by:  

• disinfecting any surfaces or objects that could be contaminated, using a bleach-based household cleaner.  
• washing any items of clothing or bedding that could have become contaminated separately on a hot wash (60°C) to ensure the virus is killed.  
• not sharing towels and flannels  
• flushing any poo or vomit in the toilet and cleaning the surrounding area with a bleach-based household cleaner  
• avoiding eating raw, unwashed food  
• only eating oysters from a reliable source as they can carry norovirus