Canterbury District Health Board Norovirus Update
Canterbury District Health Board Norovirus Update - Saturday 13 October
Thanks to everyone who has encouraged people to call their General Practice or after hours medical centre, if they need medical help with stomach bug symptoms, rather than coming into Christchurch Hospital’s Emergency Department. There have however still been people presenting at ED today with symptoms and we would greatly appreciate any announcements etc that you could make for us on this.
Health Messages
If you have vomiting and diarrhoea and need medical help, phone your General Practice, after hours medical centre or Healthline (0800 611 116)
before visiting them or Christchurch Hospital’s Emergency Department.
Most stomach bugs are easily spread to other people and can be managed at home.
If you are feeling very unwell, your health professional will know whether you need to go to hospital.
Please do not visit patients in hospitals or rest homes if you have had diarrhoea or vomiting in the last 48 hours.
Consider whether your visit to a hospital patient is essential, if they are in a ward affected by norovirus. Do not take children to wards affected by norovirus unless essential.
Thorough hand washing is the best way to avoid becoming infected or infecting others with a stomach bug.
Wards that remain closed to admissions due to norovirus
Two at Christchurch Hospital
Four at The Princess Margaret Hospital
One at Burwood Hospital
Although it is unusual for norovirus to
affect TPMH, Burwood and Christchurch Hospitals, the
outbreak is so far not affecting as many hospital patients
as some norovirus outbreaks have in the past. Closing wards
to new admissions is a precautionary measure to prevent
further patients from becoming infected with this highly
contagious
illness.
ends