Cases of norovirus are rising across the country and local people are urged to take steps to prevent the spread.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is urging the public to help stop the spread of norovirus by not visiting if they have symptoms of the virus and washing their hands regularly if visiting a healthcare setting.

Tracey Reeves, Director of Nursing – Eastern services at the Royal Devon, said: “We are seeing a significant increase in the number of norovirus cases across the Royal Devon. We are doing everything we can to try and minimise the impact of this, and the risk to patients and staff, but there are important actions people can take to help prevent the spread.

“The main thing people can do is to stay away if they have any signs or symptoms of norovirus – so if you are feeling unwell, have diarrhoea, vomiting or stomach cramps, please don’t visit a hospital for at least 48 hours after the last symptom has gone.

“If you are well and are visiting one of our healthcare settings, we ask that you please practice good hand hygiene – this means washing your hands regularly with soap and warm water, or using the alcohol hand gel provided.

“While norovirus is generally harmless to the vast majority of people, it can have a serious impact on patients who are often more vulnerable to catching it, and so we are urging the public to help us keep our patients safe.

More information about norovirus can be found here.