All wards at Inverness’s Raigmore Hospital are now open following the latest norovirus outbreak.
Ward 5C reopened at the weekend after a period of deep cleaning.
But, with the bug still rife in the community, patients are being asked not to visit the hospital until absolutely necessary.
The plea follows a strained few weeks for NHS Highland’s flagship hospital, which has had to close several wards because of norovirus.
Dr Adam Brown, consultant microbiologist for NHS Highland, said: “I’m pleased that we’ve been able to reopen Ward 5c and would like to thank members of the public for their cooperation and understanding during this period of closure.
“I would however, like to remind people that norovirus is still very active in the community, so we would ask that everyone remain vigilant.
“If you, or anyone you live with, has had any vomiting or diarrhoea within the previous 72-hours, please do not come into the hospital. By doing this, we will be able to reduce, as much as we can, the chance of Norovirus coming back into the hospital.
“We would like to appeal to members of the public to only visit their friends and relatives at Raigmore if it is absolutely necessary.”
Iona McGauran, interim lead nurse for Raigmore Hospital, praised all the staff for their hard work during the outbreak.
She said: “The ward staff and our infection prevention and control team have done an excellent job in keeping this outbreak as contained as much as possible, while also ensuring that patients were getting the best possible care.
“Our domestic staff have again played a huge part and have done a sterling job in cleaning, which has allowed us to reopen the ward.
“I would like to reiterate that we ask people only to visit the hospital if it is absolutely necessary.
“Hospital staff will of course be happy to talk to visitors over the phone so they can get updates on how their relatives are.”