Another ward closed to visitors as Norovirus hits hospital

Tuesday 08 March 2022

Another ward at Jersey’s General Hospital has had to be closed to visitors due to Norovirus.

It comes after it was confirmed yesterday three wards - Beauport and Plemont in the General Hospital and Cedar Ward at St. Saviour’s Hospital - had shut to visitors due to covid-19.

Health officials said this afternoon that there were currently fewer than five patients in hospital with Norovirus, and that the Acute Assessment Unit (AAU) was being closed to limit its spread further. 

They said the other three wards closed due to covid would “reopen as soon as possible.”

There are currently 44 patients in hospital with covid and nine across other health facilities. 62 health staff members are off work due to the illness.

Eight non-urgent surgeries have also had to be rescheduled this week. Last week, nine were postponed.

The hospital currently has 17% bed capacity.

In light of rising covid cases in the hospital and the presence of Norovirus, islanders are being reminded of the importance of not coming into the hospital if they feel unwell, as well as mask-wearing and good hand hygiene.

It comes in addition to a reminder yesterday that islanders should also wear masks when visiting health premises. 

Chief Nurse Rose Naylor yesterday said she was disappointed that some had not complied with rules aimed at limiting the spread of covid in the hospital and had been verbally abusive to staff who tried to enforce restrictions.