Ramsey Cottage Hospital has been closed to new admissions as an outbreak of the winter vomiting virus there continues.

The hospital remains open for out-patients and clinic attendees; the minor injuries unit is also operating as normal.

And it's still open to visitors, except children who are more susceptible.

The DHSS has issued the following guidelines:

If you have vomiting and/or diarrhoea:

1. Please wait for 48 hours after cessation of all your symptoms before returning to work/school, as you continue to shed the virus for 48 hours after you have completely recovered. Often the virus is spread by people who have made a full recovery and who do not realise that they are still infectious.

2. Please do not visit A&E at Noble's or the Minor Injuries at Ramsey Cottage Hospital. If you need medical advice, please contact your doctor by telephone rather than visit the surgery.

3. Please do not visit hospitals or care homes for at least 48 hours after the symptoms are resolved as once introduced this virus is likely to cause a major outbreak and can be serious in the elderly or those with other illnesses.

4. Please ensure that hygiene precautions are followed at home if anyone gets diarrhoea and vomiting. These include measures such as scrupulous washing of hands, thorough cleaning of vomit using diluted bleach, cleaning toilet bowls with bleach, etc. The condition is self-limiting and symptoms subside in 2 – 3 days.