HIGH rates of norovirus are continuing to hit hospitals, blocking beds and causing anguish for families unable to visit their ailing relatives.
Confirmed cases of the debilitating bug, also known as winter vomiting disease, are already up some 70 per cent on last year.
The highly infectious disease has resulted in many hospital ward closures in Swansea and further afield.
Christmas shoppers are being asked to do their bit to reduce the spread of the bug when they pick up their turkey and trimmings this weekend. Revellers too are being encouraged to observe common-sense hygiene when they celebrate the festive period in pubs and bars — a message also applicable to Christmas "chefs" everywhere.
Sara Hayes, director of public health at Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University (ABM) health board, said: "Lots of you will be out and about socialising and doing last minute shopping this weekend and you could unexpectedly pick up one of these illnesses — it's easily done.
"My advice to everyone is to make sure you wash your hands regularly throughout the day with warm water and soap. When you come home from school, shopping or a day out, wash your hands straight away before doing anything else."
Dr Hayes added: "It's always important to wash your hands thoroughly, especially after blowing your nose or going to the toilet and before preparing or eating food.
"If you care for other people, remember to protect them too by washing your hands before and after helping them.
"We are currently seeing a lot more viruses and illness and we want people to have an enjoyable, healthy Christmas and not spend it being poorly in bed."
According to the health board, many people have been off work and school with this stomach bug, and there are also a lot of colds, flu and other viruses going around.
Morriston Hospital has four wards closed to visitors (Ward C, Ward D, Ward S and the clinical decision unit), Ward 7 at Singleton Hospital is shut while five wards are closed at the Princess of Wales Hospital, Bridgend.
"This affects the flow of patients in the hospital and causes delays, as there is a reduction in the number of beds available," said an ABM spokeswoman.
"It means patients on these wards can't be transferred, except to go home, and no new patients can be admitted into empty beds."
The incubation period for norovirus is 24 hours to three days, and symptoms usually last 12 to 60 hours. The onset is sudden.
There is no medication to treat norovirus — the illness needs to run its course.
A spokeswoman for Hywel Dda health board said it currently had the all-clear, with no ward closures in place.
"But we do want to reiterate that people with symptoms should not attend accident and emergency," she said.
For more advice, visit www.abm.wales.nhs.uk
