Dartmouth Community Hospital was forced to close wards to new patients for a few days from April 17 to 22, after it was hit by the norovirus winter vomiting bug.

Similar restrictions were also put in place at Totnes and Torbay hospitals to try to prevent the spread of the bug.

Totnes and Dartmouth hospitals are now both operating normally but health bosses are still warning people to keep clear of any of its hospitals if they are suffering from sickness and diarrhoea to stop the spread of the virus and protect vulnerable patients.

People are being asked to ‘visit responsibly’.

Dr Selina Hoque, director of infection prevention and control at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, said: ‘There is currently an increase in norovirus circulating in our community.

‘We know that people place great value on being able to visit loved ones in hospital, but when we are experiencing infection outbreaks in the community they can unknowingly put our patients’ health at risk.

‘Norovirus rarely requires medical treatment but for those who are already ill it can be more serious.

‘It is vitally important we protect our patients and we have well established systems in place to do this. However, we really need visitors and members of the public to assist us by visiting responsibly.

‘If you are feeling unwell, or actually have diarrhoea or vomiting, please don’t come into the hospital as a visitor for at least 48 hours after the last symptom has disappeared.

‘If you become unwell whilst you are visiting then please tell someone in charge, even if you were ill in a toilet. Also, if you are due to attend for an operation or for an outpatient appointment and have been ill then please ring the hospital and let them know.’

Norovirus is a common virus which circulates in the community and, although usually more prevalent in the winter, can occur at any time. Most people will recover from norovirus within a few days, but will remain contagious for some time after the symptoms have disappeared.

For hospital patients, who can often be more vulnerable due to existing illness or injury, the viruses can have a more serious impact on their health.

The most effective way to avoid the infection is through good hand washing, using soap and warm water rather than special hand-gels, particularly after using the toilet and before eating and drinking anything. This is especially important if others in the house are unwell.