Surgery delays follow rising norovirus cases

The number of infections in Timaru Hospital's norovirus outbreak has soared, leading to elective surgeries being postponed.

Yesterday 19 patients and six staff were thought to have norovirus up from 11 patients and five staff on Monday. Last night the medical and surgical wards were in lockdown, but would be re-opened at 8am today.

Eleven surgeries have been postponed in the past fortnight, according to clinical services general manager Christine Nolan , but none was cancelled.

"Surgery lists are being drawn up to include more cases of day surgery which allow people to recover at home instead of in-patient surgery requiring a lengthy recovery in hospital."

At this stage no rest homes were thought to have the virus.

The surgical ward was first closed to the public on Monday night but reopened for a while yesterday. Assessment, treatment and rehabilitation wards were open to visitors but people were asked to keep their visits to a minimum. "We have nine patients isolated in the surgical ward and nine isolated in the medical ward. One person who caught norovirus in the community has also been admitted to hospital, Ms Nolan said.

"Outpatient clinics continue to run as usual. Patients are encouraged to turn up for their appointments.

" If an appointment is changed the patient will be contacted by staff."

- © Fairfax NZ News