Health bosses at Wrexham Maelor hospital have said a winter vomiting bug is under control despite an increase in the number of new cases.

An additional 30 people have contracted the illness in the past two days, nearly 180 patients and staff have now been struck down by the virus and eight wards remain closed.

Eight hospital wards remain closed

However, North East Wales NHS Trust officials - who employ 2,500 people at the hospital - have said the new cases are all linked to the initial outbreak, indicating the bug is contained.

The virus, known as the "winter vomiting bug" results in projectile vomiting and diarrhoea.

Hospital spokesman Andy Scotson said the illness is not just affecting the hospital.

Surgery cancelled

"I don't think the bug is anymore virulent in Wrexham than anywhere else but it has struck quickly.

"At some stage a patient has come into the hospital with this bug but we are satisfied that the measures put in place are effective," he said.

A total of 124 patients and 52 members of staff have contracted the virus since it was diagnosed last weekend.

Elective surgery has been cancelled and there have been no new admissions onto the affected wards.

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

Andy Scotson said staff are coping

When the outbreak was at its peak last week 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.

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

Emergency operations, day surgery and children services are running as normal.

The first-known case of the bug was believed to have been recorded in Canada and was first identified in Britain three years ago in the Devon and Cornwall area.