WINCHESTER Hospital has suffered another setback this week after an outbreak of Norovirus.

Royal Hampshire County Hospital, which lost its MRI Unit to a blaze on Friday (December 9), was forced to close two wards today (Dec 12) to prevent spreading of the vomiting bug.

Victoria and Shawford Wards are the two to be closed, which primarily care for the elderly.

A spokesman for the hospital in Romsey Road said visitors should stay away from the hospital unless absolutely necessary but that outpatient appointments were not affected.

Hospital staff also ask anyone coming to the hospital to wash their hands before and after their visit.

Dr Stuart Ward, medical director for the Southampton, Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Portsmouth PCT Cluster, warned families to watch out for the virus during winter by keeping up good standards of hygiene.

He added: “Norovirus can be more serious for some groups of people, especially for the elderly, asthmatic and people who are more generally unwell.

“If a baby or child is ill with either vomiting or flu-like symptoms and you have any concerns, then ring your GP or NHS Direct for advice.”