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Norovirus Update Tokoroa Hospital
Norovirus Update Tokoroa Hospital
Three patients and
eight staff members at Tokoroa Hospital still have
norovirus-like symptoms this afternoon.
All patients will continue to be either isolated in single rooms or separated in multi-bed rooms with contact precautions.
Staff must stay away from work until they are 48 hours symptom free.
The ward at Tokoroa Hospital remains closed. Waikato District Health Board infection control staff will review the situation again tomorrow.
The virus, which results in violent symptoms including diarrhoea and vomiting, probably came from the community because at this time of year there is always an increase circulating in the community.
Tokoroa Hospital manager Joanne Knight said the message for the South Waikato community was still to stay away from the hospital unless it was an emergency. In the first instance, telephone contact with their GP was the preferred option to try and avoid unnecessary contact with other members of the community. After hours the number is (07) 886 6111.
People with symptoms such as diarrohea, vomiting, coughs or sneezing should stay away.
Those visiting must maintain strict hand hygiene practices.
Norovirus passes from hand-to-mouth through direct contact with another sick person, through eating contaminated food or touching surfaces and objects, (such as telephones or door handles) contaminated with the virus. It has an incubation period of 24 to 28 hours.
Symptoms include nausea, stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhoea, fever, muscle aches, and headache. The illness is usually brief but violent with symptoms lasting one to two days.
ENDS
Waikato District Health Board
Healthy People. Excellent Care
Waikato District Health Board (DHB) employs over 6500 people and plans, funds and provides hospital and health services to more than 391,770 people in a region covering eight per cent of New Zealand.
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