A computer virus forced Gwinnett Medical Center to turn away ambulances and take patients to other hospitals.

Staff members discovered the virus Wednesday afternoon at the Gwinnett Medical Center’s campuses in Lawrenceville and Duluth. The situation is expected to last through the weekend, a spokeswoman said.

The hospital is now taking more patients than it did on Friday when it turned away all but the most critical.  The health system has been forced to switch back to paperwork.

The virus also was affecting departments such as the pharmacy, radiology and labs. A system of runners are dealing with a variety of tasks, such as running orders down to the pharmacy or delivering X-rays to doctors.

The hospital is still treating patients in emergency situations but is asking people with minor ailments, such as sore throats or sprained ankles, to contact their regular providers.

The other hospitals taking patients include Emory Eastside Medical Center, Atlanta; DeKalb Medical Center, Decatur; Walton Regional Medical Center, Monroe; and Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Gainesville.