LISKEARD Community Hospital and an extra care housing scheme in the town have been hit by the Norovirus vomiting bug.

The hospital, at Charter Way, has confirmed it had an outbreak of the virus from April 30 to May 15 resulting in Oak Ward being closed.

Meanwhile at Passmore Edwards Court, residents have become ill, two seriously, and have been in quarantine in their homes.

Visitors have been advised to stay away from the housing complex which was developed on the site of the former Passmore Edwards Hospital in Greenbank Road.

Communal rooms have been shut down, including the restaurant, in an effort to control the virus, which also causes diarrhea, from spreading further.

Norovirus was first confirmed at Passmore Edwards Court on May 17 and some residents at the complex are still suffering from the symptoms.

A spokesperson for the Aster Group which owns the complex said: 'We've been working closely with the Health Protection Agency (HPA) since the first symptoms appeared and have put strict measures in place to isolate the outbreak.

Symptoms

'The health and well-being of all our customers and colleagues is our top priority.

'In accordance with HPA advice on dealing with Norovirus outbreaks, we've asked residents who've shown symptoms to remain in their homes for a minimum of 48 hours.

'Colleagues who have been affected have been told not to return to work for the same time period and all communal areas have been closed until further notice.

'We have also put temporary measures in place to ensure residents who've contracted the illness will continue to receive the care and support they need while we tackle the issue.'

While Oak Ward was closed at the hospital, Willow Ward remained open, but visitors were restricted to prevent a further spread of the virus.

Closed

The hospital said that deep cleaning was carried out immediately with an enhanced clean performed in all areas afterwards.

No patients were transferred from the hospital to alternative care.

Matron Trish Orton said: 'During the two-week period Oak Ward was closed, we had seven people on our waiting list who were medically fit for transfer to Oak Ward from Derriford Hospital, but we were unable to accept them due to the closure of the ward.

'None of these patients was transferred to nursing homes. They awaited admission to community hospitals.'