Norovirus shuts wards at Southampton General Hospital
Seven wards have been closed to new admissions at Southampton General Hospital to control the spread of the winter bug norovirus.
The wards have been shut as a precaution as a number of patients have been affected by the sickness bug. It has resulted in the loss of 30 beds.
Visitors, especially schoolchildren, have also been asked to stay away to prevent the spread of infection.
The highly contagious virus causes nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Dr Graeme Jones, from the hospital, said: "We are currently dealing with an intense build-up of pressure following a number of wards being affected in the past two days."
The hospital is also advising people not to come in if they are experiencing symptoms of diarrhoea or vomiting unless their visit is vital.
Dr Jones added: "Those who do need to make an essential visit need to have been symptom-free for at least 48 hours before contemplating coming in."
An outbreak of the virus has also forced Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital to restrict visits to one hour a day between 18:30 and 19:30 GMT.