The HSE issued a covid alert for Mayo this week stating that there are currently 18 cases of patients in Mayo University Hospital with the virus - and warned that visitors to the facility pose a risk of infection to other patients there.
Despite the World Health Organisation calling an end in May 2023 to the 'public health emergency of international concern', which was first issued on 30 January 2020, cases of Covid-19 continue to circulate in communities, and now a new strain of the virus currently spreading across the UK, named Eris, has also been detected in Ireland.
On Tuesday last a HSE statement read: "In light of rising rates of Covid-19 infection, Mayo University Hospital is asking the public to please not visit patients in the hospital if you are feeling unwell.
"There are currently 18 patients in the hospital with Covid-19 and some patients are being infected from contact with visitors. In order to protect our patients and staff, please do not come to the hospital if you have any symptoms of Covid-19. Anyone coming to the hospital must follow public health guidance and perform regular hand hygiene, there are face masks available for use throughout the hospital."
Catherine Donohoe, Hospital Manager MUH added: "Covid-19 is circulating in our communities and continues to be a risk to vulnerable patients. For that reason, we are asking our local community to be mindful of the safety of our patients and staff. If you have symptoms like a sore throat, cough, temperature or shortness of breath, please do not visit the hospital to help keep vulnerable patients safe. We appreciate your co-operation with these measures."
Both Sligo University Hospital and Galway University Hospital also reported outbreaks of Covid-19 in recent weeks and urged the public to be cautious.
While the pandemic emergency health alert was declared over by the World Health Organisation back in May, Director General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, also warned: “The risk remains of new variants emerging that cause new surges in cases and deaths.”
