CASES of MRSA have exceeded a target set by the local hospital trust.

There have been 32 cases of the virus in the past year, while there were two in March.

But the Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Trust set a strict target of 15 cases within the 12- month time frame.

Diane Whittingham, chief executive of the Trust, said: “Although we have missed our MRSA target it is worth remembering that it is a low target and we are working with our dedicated colleagues to improve the situation.

“The hard work that has gone into this, and other areas, across the organisation has been immense.

“It has been a real team effort and people have really gone that extra mile.”

The MRSA virus is common in hospitals throughout the country.

It is known to affect people with weakened immune systems, putting them at a greater risk of infection than the general public.

Lesley Hill, director of service development, added: “We didn’t reach our target, but MRSA is in many hospitals and our statistics are better than most.

“It is impressive when you consider that we deliver more than 300,000 outpatient appointments every year.”

Meanwhile, hospital staff are continuing to monitor this week’s norovirus outbreak at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary and Calderdale Royal Infirmary.

Nine wards were affected at the start of the week, but two have seen been given the all- clear.

The infection control team is reviewing the situation throughout the working day and stepping up the cleaning process in affected wards.

Norovirus is particularly common during the winter months and is a stomach bug which causes vomiting and diarrhoea among sufferers and is easily spread.

It led to hospital staff asking unwell friends and relatives of patients to stay away.