Scrupulous hygiene can help reduce the spread of infection

The stomach bug has affected beds at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro and West Cornwall Hospital in Penzance.

The hospitals say they are struggling to find room for new admissions and the bug is also affecting some staff.

Visitors are being asked to stay away unless it is absolutely necessary, but people with hospital appointments should attend as normal.

Hand washing

Sue Wolstenholme said it was a serious situation because 51 of the closed beds were empty and were needed by accident and emergency patients and people referred to hospital for operations.

"We want to keep as many beds open as absolutely possible.

"If visitors must come in they should make sure they wash their hands thoroughly, have a good scrub all over and put clean clothes on before they come."

Any visitors to the hospitals are also being reminded to use the gels provided to help reduce the spread of the bug.