It has been reported that Timaru Hospital is suspecting a norovirus outbreak inside the premises. The hospital has closed the entry for all the non-essential visitors following the suspicion.

Reports have concluded that 15 patients and 6 staff members have experienced symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea since Saturday. The sick patients were in the surgical, medical and assessment, treatment and rehabilitation ward.

In this crisis, four surgical patients had their procedures postponed to ease the congestion in the surgical ward.

South Canterbury District Health Board secondary services General Manager, Christine Nolan said that the patients will be readmitted once the hospital will be found clear from norovirus.

"All other patients can be assured that their appointments are going ahead unless they hear otherwise", she said.

Chris Fleming, Chief Executive of District Health Board, said that they are waiting for the blood test reports of the patients to make themselves sure whether norovirus outbreak caused these symptoms. Until that time the hospital is treating this as a norovirus outbreak.

He also said that norovirus is spread very fast and this is the reason visitors are presently stopped from entering the hospital area so as to keep a check on this virus.