A NOROVIRUS outbreak has closed two wards at the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch.

Ward 2, which has 16 patients, and ward 18, which has 17 patients, are affected. 

However, ward 18 is expected to reopen later today (Wednesday February 22).

The coronary care unit (CCU) is also partially closed but family and friends have been allowed to visit.

Norovirus is an incurable condition which causes diarrhoea, vomiting causes slight fever, headache, painful stomach cramps and aching limbs.

The symptoms of norovirus can start around 12 to 72 hours after picking up the infection and can last up to 60 hours.

The highly contagious bug is particularly widespread at this time of year.

The outbreak is believed to have started at the beginning of this week, with staff regularly updated with its progress.

A spokesman from Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said they had been reminding staff on how to prevent the spread of the highly contagious bug.

The spread of norovirus can be stopped through good hand hygiene using soap and water rather than alcohol hand gels, which do not kill the virus.

For more information on staying well this winter visit nhs.uk/staywell.