Infection control in place after Norovirus outbreak at Whakatane Hospital

Infection control is in place after a novovirus outbreak. Photo/Katee Shanks

Infection control measures remain in place at Whakatane Hospital after an outbreak of suspected norovirus this morning.

Acting director of nursing Rosalind Jackson said as at midday today there had been no new cases in either patients or staff at the hospital's Acute Care Unit (ACU).

Infection control measures were put in place when the outbreak was discovered, including the isolation of infected people and the restriction of access to the unit by both visitors and staff.

"The infection control measures put in place appear to have contained the outbreak but it's an ongoing situation and we are monitoring it closely," Ms Jackson said.

The ACU is operating normally again but with infection control measures in place, including the continued isolation of those who had shown symptoms.

Members of the public have been asked not to visit the hospital's Emergency Department unless their case is an emergency.

"This has been a particularly busy time for staff."

Whangarei Hospital is also dealing with norovirus, a highly contagious vomiting bug.