Surgical ward 5B was closed to visitors and new admissions on Friday afternoon, as a precautionary measure in response to a suspected gastroenteritis outbreak.

It's the second ward to be closed at the hospital, after rehabilitation ward 3R was quarantined on Wednesday

It remains closed for admission and visitors.

On Friday a Health Department spokesperson confirmed ward 5B had four patients with gastro-like symptoms, with one medical staff member also reporting symptoms.

There were also three potential new cases on ward 3R reported, including one patient and two nursing students.

All previously reported cases of gastro have since recovered.

LGH executive director of nursing Helen Bryan said closing the wards was a measure designed to contain the widespread risks of gastro transmission, and was important to stop the spread of the virus.

She said the situation was being monitored daily, with senior infection prevention staff rostered across the weekend to assist.

The closure measures are standard operating procedure during a potentially infectious outbreak.

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