Forty seven beds are still affected by the winter vomiting bug Norovirus at Epsom Hospital more than a week after the outbreak began.

The hospital is still urging people not to come into the hospital unless absolutely necessary as it battles to beat the bug.

At the start oflast week a third of its 243 beds were either occupied by an infected patient or closed because their proximity to an affected bed has made them unusable as the virus is highly infectious.

A further 12 beds have reopened since Thursday last week with a total of 47 still affected with a further 16 beds expected to reopen in the next 24 hours. The symptoms of a norovirus usually start between 24 and 48 hours after the initial infection but can start after as little as 12 hours, say experts.

The first symptom is usually a sudden onset of nausea, followed by projectile vomiting and watery diarrhoea.

Some people may also have a mild fever, headaches, stomach cramps, or aching limbs.

The hospital is still open and functioning as normal however people are being urged not to come into the hospital unless absolutely necessary.

The hospital has warned anyone suffering from diarrhoea or vomiting not to: • Come to hospital for a routine appointment - instead, call the number on your appointment letter to reschedule it • Visit patients at Epsom Hospital - you risk spreading the illness to those who do not have it • Attend A&E (accident and emergency) unless it is a genuine emergency - speak to your GP first if possible.