A WARD has been closed to new admissions at Chase Farm Hospital after a suspected winter vomiting bug outbreak.

The Napier ward, which deals with general admissions, will not accept new patients as staff try to contain cases of norovirus, which causes violent vomiting and diarrhoea.

Hospital wards across the country are being closed due to an earlier than expected increase in cases, leading doctors to advise people to stay at home if they think they have the virus.

NHS North Central London medical director Nick Losseff said: “It’s best to let the illness run its course and your body usually fights off the infection within a couple of days.

“If you are generally fit and well, then you shouldn’t need to see your GP, but it is really important to drink plenty of water and, if you feel the need, take paracetamol for any fever or aches and pains.”

He added that anyone with the illness should avoid visiting friends and family in hospital until they are symptom-free for at least two days.