Hospital ward still closed due to norovirus outbreak

Ward 12 at the Melrose hospital is not accepting any new admissions until the outbreak has been dealt with.

An increased incidence of people in the town and nearby experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms is also reported.

Medics are advising people to stay away from the hospital ward if they or anyone in your family has experienced symptoms of diarrhoea or vomiting in the past 48 hours.

Visitors to Ward 12 are strongly discouraged, and relatives and carers are asked to keep visits to the hospital to a minimum.

Interim joint public health director Tim Patterson said: “Norovirus is one of the most common causes of diarrhoea and vomiting illness.

“It is very infectious and spreads quickly between people. This is why outbreaks happen in hospitals where a number of people are sharing facilities.

“However, it doesn’t just occur in hospitals and can start abruptly and spread quickly through communities.

“Action by patients, visitors and staff can help support us to deliver safe patient care and minimise the impact of a potential norovirus outbreak, and we are urging visitors to comply with any instructions you are given by staff or you see on signs at the entrances to wards.

“This is vital to protect yourselves and your loved ones from catching this unpleasant virus, particularly as your friends or family members currently in hospital may be more vulnerable to the virus than usual.

“Thank you for your co-operation.”

For updates on the outbreak, visit visit www.nhsborders.scot.nhs.uk

Symptoms of norovirus include diarrhoea, vomiting, headaches, fever and muscle aches.

Sufferers are advised to drink more fluids than usual and to rest to enable their bodies to fight the infection.

Because it is a virus, antibiotics do not help.