LAUNCESTON Hospital has been forced to close after legionella bacteria was found in two locations last Friday (February 15), writes Amelia Chubb.

Patients have been transferred to alternative hospitals and plans are underway for complete disinfection and a £100,000 maintenance overhaul, after staff from Peninsula Community Health (PCH) found legionella bacteria when carrying out routine water quality checks. The 'Post' has been told the hospital will be temporarily closed for a month.

Legionella bacteria can cause Legionnaires' Disease — a serious lung infection which is usually caught by breathing in small droplets of contaminated water.

For the full report, and a round up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the 'Post'.