Visiting restrictions are in place in Mayo General Hospital in Castlebar due to the presence of Norovirus, commonly known as the winter vomiting bug. There has been an ongoing presence of the virus in the community over the past number of weeks. Anyone with recent symptoms of diarrhoea and/or vomiting or who had contact with others who have these symptoms should not visit patients in the hospital to avoid spreading the virus.
The HSE says that due to a presence of the virus in A Ward visitors will be restricted in this area and visiting to non-affected areas will be strictly limited to visiting times as a precautionary measure. The regular hospital visiting times are between 2pm and 4pm and between 6.30pm and 8.30pm, and will be strictly observed. Arrangements will be made for family members of critically ill patients on the affected ward to visit; this should be arranged through the nurse on duty in the ward prior to arrival at the hospital.
The hospital management has put control measures in place to reduce the risk of the virus spreading to other areas/departments within the hospital. It is important that ill and vulnerable patients in the hospital do not become more ill than they already are, so the public should cooperate with Mayo General Hospital policy on visiting.
