A VOMITING bug closed one in 20 beds at Swindon’s Great Western Hospital.

NHS England statistics showed that 35 beds had to be quarantined towards the end of January, as hospital doctors battled a bout of norovirus on the wards.

It was the second time the Marlborough Road institution has been hit by the bug this winter. Earlier in January, 21 beds had to be closed after an outbreak of the virus, which can cause vomiting and diarrhoea.

In advice that might strike some as odd for an organisation responsible for treating ill-health, GWH warned patients against visiting hospital if they have felt unwell.

A spokeswoman for the NHS trust said: “We have been made aware of some cases of Norovirus over the last month that have seen some bed closures, but we are no longer seeing any cases and all wards are open.

“We continue to advise patients and visitors to avoid coming to hospital if they have been unwell in the last 48 hours.”

Often referred to as the winter vomiting bug, norovirus can result in high temperatures and aching limbs as well as traditional symptoms like nausea and diarrhoea. Usually, people are able to shake the virus within a couple of days, but in hospitals where patients’ immune systems are often already low, norovirus can have a serious impact.

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Last week, Public Health England issued a warning after outbreaks were reported across the south west. A spokesman said: “The best way to protect yourself and others from catching this unpleasant sickness bug is simply to wash your hands thoroughly with warm water and soap, and to keep the environment you live and work in clean."

Hand sanitiser and alcohol hand gels would not kill the virus, PHE added.

While doctors battled norovirus at the end of January, the rest of the GWH remained incredibly busy. The hospital’s bed occupancy rate was the highest it has been all winter, with 96 per cent of available ward beds occupied by patients.

In the penultimate week of January, 26 ambulance crews and their patients were left waiting outside the Swindon A&E for between 30 minutes and an hour. Only two patients were left waiting longer than 60 minutes.