Extra procedures are in place to stop the MRSA superbug spreading

The hospital said the patient admitted to the cardiology ward had now been moved to another part of the hospital.

A spokesman said Sowton ward would not be closed as a result of the outbreak, nor would any operations be affected.

The hospital denied reports it was forced to close the unit and said it was fully operational.

It also declined to say whether the patient had been newly admitted or transferred to the unit from another ward.

The hospital's special care baby unit was closed in February after five premature babies were found to be carrying the bug.

The infants were quarantined and were said by a hospital spokesman to have suffered no ill-effects as a result.