A HOSPITAL has reopened to visitors following an outbreak of a highly infectious virus.

Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath is now getting back to normal after dozens of patients and staff fell ill with sickness and diarrhoea caused by the norovirus.

At its peak last week, around 60 patients and more than 30 staff were struck down by the infectious bug and seven wards were affected.

The hospital was forced to close all wards to visitors and divert all but the most critically-ill ambulance patients to other hospitals.

Hospital chief nurse Sherree Fagge said she was grateful to everyone who helped to contain the virus.

She said: “The wards are now open to visitors again.

“We would like to remind everybody to practice good hand hygiene.

“Regularly washing your hands with soap and water will help prevent the spread of infection.”

Worthing Hospital currently has five bays on three wards closed to new admissions after patients developed norovirus symptoms.

Worthing infection control nurse, Helen Richards, said: “Our first priority is to keep our patients safe and so it is vital that people do whatever they can to avoid bringing infection into a hospital environment – we are caring for many frail people who are vulnerable to such infections.”

Anyone with symptoms of diarrhoea or vomiting should not come to hospital and should contact their GP surgery, the out of hours GP service or the 111 service for advice.

People who feel unwell with gastrointestinal symptoms should stay at home and drink plenty of water and not visit friends or relatives in hospital until they are free of the symptoms for at least 48 hours.