One hundred and fifty two people have been diagnosed with a stomach virus which has swept through a north Wales hospital.

Eight wards remain closed at the Wrexham Maelor hospital following the outbreak.

People with non-life threatening illnesses have been turned away and the medical wards have been closed to new admissions.

Andy Scotson said staff are coping

Originally 11 wards had to be isolated but two have since reopened and another has been cleared of patients.

Following a series of emergency meetings bosses at the North East Wales NHS Trust decided that less serious admissions should be diverted and elective surgery cancelled.

The virus, known as the 'winter vomiting bug' results in sickness and diarrhoea.

During the weekend, patients who would normally have been admitted to the hospital were sent to Glan Clwyd in St Asaph, Countess of Chester and the Royal Shrewsbury over the border.

Bug spreading

The affected wards are still functioning, but new patients will not be admitted.

North East Wales NHS Trust spokesman Andy Scotson said the situation was not critical.

"This is a virus which produces unpleasant symptoms but it is not life threatening.

"We have patients and staff affected but many are now getting better," he said.

It is believed the first-known case of the bug was recorded in Canada.

It was first identified in Britain three years ago in the Devon and Cornwall area.

Patients were sent to Glan Clwyd Hospital

Mr Scotson said the medical wards had to be closed to new patients to prevent the bug from spreading.

A number of staff, including nurses, cleaning staff and hospital porters had been struck down by the illness.

Mr Scotson said this caused its own problems.

"We cannot transfer well staff onto the closed wards for fear of transferring the illness."

However, ancillary staff are still working on the wards to retain hygiene standards.

Emergency operations and day surgery remains unaffected.

Members of the trust will continue to have daily meetings to address the situation.