People who have experienced diarrhoea or vomiting are still being urged to keep away from Colchester General Hospital.

Last week health professionals confirmed some cases had been reported, and warned those who have suffered symptoms not to come into hospital to help prevent it from spreading.

The hospital reiterated the warning today.

Catherine Morgan, director of nursing at the Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We’re asking people to help us to keep our hospital safe this winter by taking extra precautions to limit the spread of this highly infectious illness.

“Every year, we see cases transfer from the community into the hospital. Because the virus has an incubation period of several days, people are often unaware that they are carrying it until after they have passed it on.

“We would advise anyone who has had diarrhoea or vomiting or who has been in contact with someone who has to stay away from the hospital for at least 48 hours, even if they feel better. Otherwise they run the risk of unknowingly passing the bug on to someone who is already sick.”

Norovirus symptoms can begin suddenly and include nausea, vomiting, tiredness, fever, diarrhoea, muscle aches, stomach cramps and headaches.

People experiencing it are being urged to wash hands regularly, keep toilets clean, wash clothes that may be contaminated and clean surfaces.