The ban on visitors at Cork University Hospital due to an outbreak of the winter vomiting bug will continue through the bank holiday weekend and be reviewed next Tuesday.
Hospital director of nursing Kay O'Sullivan says the full co-operation of the public, patients and staff is critical to resolving the situation.
"We regret the inconvenience caused to patients and their families and thank them for their co-operation to date. The safety of patients is fundamental to the present restricted visiting arrangements." The hospital's radiotherapy and chemotherapy day units and the outpatients department remain open as they are separate from patients already in the hospital. Family members seeking information on patients are asked to ring the ward sister on the relevant ward.
St Mary's Orthopaedic Hospital has no new cases of the virus but visiting is restricted as a precautionary measure. Visitors are asked to ring the ward manager via the main switchboard at 021-4303264 before visiting.
Visitors to Bantry General Hospital are still limited to direct next-of-kin or immediate family only, as a precautionary measure. There have been no new cases of the virus.
Meanwhile, Tony McNamara, general manager of the Cork University Hospital Group, says the winter vomiting virus is usually mild and rarely causes severe problems. But it may debilitate people who are already sick.
"By putting in place visitor restrictions, we want to limit the virus being brought into the hospital by visitors who may have had 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 [three days].
"We would appeal to the public to bear this in mind when visiting a sick relative or friend," added Mr McNamara.
He said anyone with a concern in relation to visiting is asked to contact the nursing sister on the relevant ward.