Hospitals battle norovirus outbreaks

Visitors have been asked to stay away from two regional hospitals as they battle suspected outbreaks of the highly contagious stomach bug norovirus.

Both Wanganui and Hawke's Bay Hospitals have isolated patients and imposed visiting restrictions while they await the results of testing to confirm whether or not their problems are the result of norovirus.

Those results are due in the next couple of days.

Earlier this month, Palmerston North Hospital closed wards and elective surgery was postponed after 94 staff and 56 patients were affected by the virus.

- NZPA