Visiting restrictions remain in place at Raigmore Hospital following an outbreak of norovirus.
Ward 7C at the Inverness hospital has been closed since Tuesday after patients began to show symptoms of the sickness bug.
Visiting to the entire hospital was suspended after the outbreak and widespread restrictions are still in place.
NHS Highland consultant microbiologist, Dr Jonty Mills urged visitors to stay away as much as possible to avoid the hospital wherever possible.
He said: “Norovirus is very common within the community and is for that reason difficult to control.
“People can bring the virus in when they are admitted to hospital, or when they are visiting friends or relatives. And once there are one or two cases of norovirus within a ward, it spreads rapidly.
“This is why we suspended visiting on Tuesday to try, as much as we possibly could, to reduce any further outbreaks in the hospital.”
Ward 7C remains closed and visitors are being asked not to visit unless by prior arrangement with the nurse in charge. Restrictions are in place throughout the rest of the hospital.
Dr Mills added: “We would ask that if visiting is required, visitors are limited to two per patient and that if you, or anyone you live with, have had symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting, you refrain from coming into the hospital until you are clear for 48 hours.
“We understand that this can be worrying for people who wish to visit their relatives and for patients who are looking forward to seeing their loved ones.
“We have imposed these restrictions to try to prevent the spread of the virus in both the hospital and the wider community.”
