The manager of a Co Galway hospital has asked families and loved ones of inpatients at the facility to ensure that visitor numbers are kept to a minimum to protect vulnerable patients from being exposed to viruses.
James Keane has also reminded visitors that mask wearing is mandatory in all areas of Portiuncula University Hospital in Ballinasloe to protect patients and staff.
“There are significant levels of flu, Norovirus [the winter vomiting bug], and Covid-19 in the wider community and we are very concerned about the risk to vulnerable patients of unrestricted numbers of people visiting the hospital. We therefore need to limit the number of individual visitors per patient to a maximum of two per day and we are asking families and loved ones for their co-operation in this regard. Visiting hours are strictly 2pm to 4pm and 6pm to 8pm in the main wards.”
Limiting visits is not easy for patients and their families, he said. “However, this measure is being taken in order to protect our patients, many of whom are already very ill. We need to be vigilant in order to stop the spread of Covid-19, flu, and other infections in our hospital and we are appealing to our community to help us.”
It is vital that visitors follow the mask wearing guidelines, he stated. “Again, this is to minimise sick and vulnerable patients being exposed to the risk of flu, Norovirus, and Covid-19. People with recent symptoms of Covid-19, Norovirus, or flu are asked not to visit the hospital. We are also appealing to people not to visit the hospital if they have had contact with individuals with these symptoms. We would like to thank members of the public for their co-operation in helping to protect sick and vulnerable patients.”
