HOSPITAL bosses were today fighting an outbreak of a contagious bug that forced the closure of five wards to visitors at Winchester's Royal Hampshire County Hospital.
More than 44 patients and about ten staff reported symptoms of the airborne Norovirus which causes vomiting and diarrhoea.
Health chiefs appealed to staff on holiday to come into work to help manage the outbreak, which could hit surgery main wards.
Chris Evennett, chief executive of Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, said: "We are asking visitors to stay away this week. The sooner we can begin to get rid of the virus, the sooner we can get back to normal.
Patients booked for surgery on the main ward should call for information on 01962 825736 before 5pm tomorrow (Thursday).
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