TWO more bays at the Royal Bolton have been shut as the hospital remains in the grip of a norovirus outbreak.

Yesterday, the hospital announced complex care wards B4 and C4, acute frailty unit B1 and respiratory ward D4 were all closed to new admissions.

Today bosses at the Royal Bolton said the wards remained closed to new admissions, due to having patients and staff affected by the sickness and diarrhoea bug.

Chiefs also said two bays on surgical wards F4 and E4 had been closed due to each one having two patients with diarrhoea and vomiting symptoms.

The hospital is currently not discharging patients from affected wards to other closed units, such as nursing homes, so as not to spread the illness there.

Heather Edwards, head of communications at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We first closed ward B4 because of diarrhoea and vomiting on March 30, but it became more of a problem on Tuesday when patients on other wards began to show symptoms.

“We aim to reopen bays or wards as soon as we are sure that patients are clear of symptoms. The area will first have a very thorough deep clean using special disinfecting methods.”

Visiting is currently restricted, with no more than two visitors allowed on each ward at any one time and no children able to visit.

Visitors are being asked not to visit if they are currently experiencing diarrhoea or vomiting, or have done in the last three days.

They should also watch their hands on entry and exit to affected wards and departments or after contact with patients with diarrhoea and vomiting and their environment.

Anyone with queries or concerns is asked to contact the wards.