18 Apr 2009

Restrictions on visitors at Palmerston North Hospital

5:12 pm on 18 April 2009

Visiting restrictions remain in place at Palmerston North Hospital after an outbreak of gastroenteritis.

The highly contagious bug, believed to be norovirus, has affected more than 150 staff and patients in the past month.

Visitors have been asked to avoid all but necessary trips to the hospital, and volunteers told to stay away.

A spokesperson for the MidCentral District Health Board, says a few people were still falling ill with the bug, so restrictions will stay in place.

The spokesperson says some elective surgery was cancelled during the week, and the situation is being reviewed daily.