Most of the hospital wards have been affected by the virus

Fourteen out of 16 wards have now been closed or partially closed at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Canterbury.

The hospital said on Wednesday that 157 patients and staff had been affected by the Norovirus since 13 December, with 17 more taken ill during the night.

Accident and Emergency would still be open to walk-in patients at Christmas.

Do not bring extended family or children to visit relatives over Christmas David Astley

Specialists patients such as renal and maternity cases would be unaffected, but emergency admissions would be diverted to other hospitals.

"We are trying to rest the hospital and rest our staff," said David Astley, Chief Executive of East Kent Hospitals Trust.

"We have been working under severe pressure as we have been trying to contain this nasty virus.

"We want to take the opportunity of the natural slowdown of activity over the holiday to contain the situation."

Stop the bug

The trust is also asking the public to stay away from the hospital to stop the bug from spreading further.

"It is understandable that people will want to visit their relatives over Christmas but we are asking them to keep the numbers and the time of their visits to a minimum," said Mr Astley.

"Do not bring extended family or children."

Mr Astley said other hospitals in the trust, at Margate and Ashford, would take patients who would otherwise go to the Kent and Canterbury.