An outbreak that began over the weekend has caused the Bermuda Hospitals Board to close its Gordon Ward to all but essential visitors.Twelve patients, one visitor, three staff members and one medical officer were hit by the unidentified illness, which causes vomiting and diarrhoea.Incidents have been restricted to the one ward, and patients have recovered from the illness after a few days, a BHB spokesman said.Vice President of Quality & Risk Management, Preston Swan, commented: “Strict infection prevention and control protocols have been implemented on Gordon Ward.“These include isolating patients until they have been symptom free for 48 hours, the wearing of gloves, gowns and masks by all staff and visitors when with patients who are ill, an increased cleaning schedule, and restricting staff who work on the ward from working in any other areas.“We ask the community to cooperate with our protocols and avoid visiting if possible. They should only visit loved ones on the ward if it is urgent and as long as they themselves do not feel unwell.”