Health chiefs are hoping at least one ward at Clacton Hospital will be reopened in the next few days.

Admissions to all wards were suspended on December 30 following a diarrhoea and vomiting outbreak.

Patients and staff were affected by what is thought to be the norovirus - of which there have been a number of outbreaks across the country recently, including at Colchester General Hospital.

Paul Unsworth, Tendring Primary Care Trust chief executive, said the number of new incidents had now slowed down.

"We are hopeful that at least one ward will be able to reopen at some point this week," he said.

"However, we are still asking visitors to try and restrict their numbers to a minimum and to comply with the strict infection control procedures, which we have introduced."

Published Tuesday, January 11, 2005

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