Wards 2 and 6 at Edith Cavell Hospital, in Bretton, and 3Y at Peterborough District Hospital (PDH) are still shut after a number of cases of both Norovirus and Clostridium Difficile (C Diff) were discovered.

However, after being cleaned thoroughly, Ward 2Y at PDH, which had previously been closed, has now been re-opened for new admissions.

Norovirus – also known as winter vomiting virus – affected patients in the two wards at Edith Cavell, and ward 2Y at PDH, causing diarrhoea and sickness.

Two patients on 2Y were diagnosed with C Diff, which can cause severe illness and even prove to be fatal, while ward 3Y has been closed since last week after three patients caught the bug.

Today, an intensive cleaning programme was continuing in the closed wards to try and get them open as soon as possible,

It is expected that ward 3Y at PDH will not be reopened for another two weeks.

Visitors to the hospitals will be limited to three per patient, and they will be encouraged not to share food with patients, sit on beds or use patient toilets.

Director of Nursing at Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Chris Wilkinson said: “The trust has strict infection control policies in place which aim to prevent episodes of diarrhoea and vomiting and to limit the spread of infection if episodes do occur.

“We hope to have all of our wards open to new admissions as soon as possible, and we thank our patients, staff and visitors for their co-operation during this period.”