A ward at Maidstone Hospital had to be closed for more than a week after a Norovirus outbreak.

The outbreak on the Jonathan Saunders Ward started on Monday, March 9.

The ward, which has three separate six-bedded bays, had to be closed to new admissions and relatives while the outbreak of the bug, which causes diarrhoea and vomiting, was dealt with.

It partially reopened on Tuesday, March 17.

A total of 12 patients had the bug at different points during the week-long outbreak. Symptoms usually last for around 24 to 48 hours.

Some of the bays are being deep cleaned and the whole ward is expected to re-open later in the week.