The trust said "rapid action" was taken to contain the virus

Maidstone Hospital shut Boxley Ward to new admissions after 16 patients displayed symptoms of the Norovirus.

It is run by Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, criticised in a Healthcare Commission report over fatal outbreaks of clostridium difficile.

The trust said rapid action had been taken to contain the Norovirus, but there had been no new C.diff cases.

'Washing hands'

Two patients were confirmed as having the Norovirus, which used to be known as the winter vomiting virus, and eight other people are being tested.

Gail Locock, the trust's infection control lead nurse, said: "Staff took immediate action to contain the virus; closing the ward to new admissions and notifying the infection control team.

"Unfortunately, this virus is quite common especially at this time of year and it causes illness in the community, nursing homes and schools."

Visitors to the hospital are being reminded to follow strict infection control procedures including washing hands when entering and leaving wards, not sitting on patients' beds and only visiting if absolutely necessary.

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust was the subject of a damning report by the Healthcare Commission over its errors in handling two outbreaks of the deadly C.difficile superbug at its three hospitals.

At least 90 patients died between 2004 and 2006.