A stomach bug yesterday forced the temporary closure of one of the Island’s preschools.Building Blocks Academy made the decision to close after several teachers began to show signs of gastroenteritis.CEO of the preschool Tory Darrell said yesterday: “As the staff members were sick on site, our first priority became removing the students from the environment in order to sanitise the school to prevent further illness.“The number of remaining staff was below the number deemed sufficient to safely operate the school and a decision was made to close.“We have enlisted the assistance of substitutes and will reopen [today].“We understand that this was an inconvenience to parents and we apologise for that inconvenience, however, our first priority has always been the safety of the children.”The news came days after the Bermuda Hospitals Board announced that infection prevention measures were put in place at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital’s Gordon Ward due to the spread of gastroenteritis.A BHB spokeswoman said yesterday that a total of 32 patients employees had become sick, but 19 are no longer symptomatic.“Individuals affected are recovering within 24 to 48 hours,” she said. “One new patient case of gastroenteritis in Gordon Ward has occurred in the last 24 hours. “Gordon Ward continues under current strict precautions, including enhanced cleaning practices, visitor restrictions, and restrictions of new admissions and transfers.“All patients who are unwell are in isolation rooms and visitors and staff must put on disposable protective wear before entering, and dispose of it on leaving the room.“It is recommended that current restrictions/interventions continue at least through Friday.”The spokeswoman said that outbreaks of this nature are not unusual in hospitals, and the BHB is continuing to monitor the situation.Gastroenteritis can be caused by several microorganisms, but the source of the outbreak at the hospital has yet to be identified.To prevent the spread of gastroenteritis, people are asked to regularly wash their hands, particularly after going to the bathroom and before eating.Anyone who is caring for, or visit, someone who has gastroenteritis, make sure the individual washes his or her hands with soap and water, and that you wash your hands with soap and water after any contact.If you are caring for someone who is ill, immediately clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces using bleach cleaner. Remove and wash soiled linens. Use hot water and soap.Do not prepare food if you have symptoms. Wait three days after you have recovered before handling food again.