Visiting restrictions in some hospitals after covid outbreaks

Management said visiting restrictions are necessary to keep patients safe, and visitors are advised to follow public health guidance.

Visiting restrictions have been put in place at hospitals in Roscommon and Kilkenny as a result of outbreaks of covid-19, flu and RSV cases.

On Thursday, management at Roscommon University Hospital asked the public to refrain from visiting the hospital if they are feeling unwell or have respiratory symptoms.

"The hospital is currently dealing with a covid outbreak on St Coman’s Ward and St Teresa’s Ward and visiting to both wards will be facilitated on compassionate grounds," hospital management said in a statement.

"To arrange a visit on compassionate grounds, please contact the ward manager in advance."

Management said the visiting restrictions are necessary to keep patients safe, and anyone visiting the hospital has been advised to follow public health guidance.

"We appreciate that restricting visiting at this time of year is difficult for patients and their families," said interim hospital manager Marie Doorly.

“Everyone coming to the hospital should follow public health guidance and use hand gel regularly during their visit, remember your cough etiquette and if needed, masks are available for use throughout the hospital."

Temporary visiting restrictions have also been put in place at St Luke's General Hospital in Kilkenny in the wake of a number of cases of covid, flu, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) there.

According to management, there are currently five outbreaks across different wards at the hospital, and at least 22 patients have tested positive for covid-19.

'Severe pressure'

Speaking on KCLR FM on Thursday, the hospital's clinical director Gary Courtney described the situation as "serious."

"These three conditions are circulating freely in the community so the reason we are bringing in visitor restrictions is that the hospital is full of sick people and we’re bringing in healthy people from the community full of viruses who are spreading it to patients in the hospital," he said.

"These patients are sick, old, and some are post-operative and we can’t allow that.

"It would be nice to have people visit freely but when the hospital is under such severe pressure we can’t continue to allow staff and patients be infected by casual visitors."

Earlier this week, visiting restrictions were also introduced at Portincula University Hospital Ballinasloe, Co Galway.

The hospital says it is currently dealing with a flu and covid-19 outbreak on its St John’s Ward and visitations will be facilitated on "compassionate grounds" on an exceptional basis only.