HSE imposes ban on hospital visitors over virus

A COMPLETE ban on visitors to Kerry General Hospital, in Tralee, except for direct family members of critically ill patients, has been imposed by the Health Service Executive (HSE) South.

This is a precautionary measure against the highly infectious winter vomiting virus, which is at large in the community, and is affecting a number of adult wards at the hospital, according to the HSE, yesterday.

Hospital general manager Margie Lynch said they wanted to limit the virus being brought into the hospital by visitors who may have symptoms.

“Any persons with vomiting and/or diarrhoea, or anyone who has had contact with persons with those symptoms, should not visit any hospital or healthcare facility until they have been symptom-free for 72 hours. We would appeal to the public to bear this in mind when visiting a sick relative, or friend,” Ms Lynch added.

“The winter vomiting virus is usually quite mild but it may be debilitating to people who are already sick in hospital.”

HSE hospital network manager Gerry O’Dwyer said the virus had the capacity to severely disrupt the day-to-day running of hospitals, as had been seen in the Mercy University Hospital, Cork, recently.

He said planned, non urgent procedures may have to be rescheduled because admissions must be curtailed; and services may also be reduced if staff members are affected.

“We would ask visitors, therefore, to be mindful of how contagious the virus is and also thank them in advance for their co-operation and support,” he said.