Visiting restrictions are in place at Mayo General Hospital in Castlebar due to a number of patients displaying symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting usually caused by norovirus, commonly known as the winter vomiting bug.
Due to the possibility of the virus in the Elderly Medicine Ward, visitors will be restricted in this area. 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. Visiting to non-affected areas of the hospital are strictly limited to visiting times as a precautionary measure; hospital visiting times are from 2pm to 4pm and from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.
There has been an increase in the number of cases of norovirus in the community and anyone with recent symptoms of diarrhoea and/or vomiting or who has had contact with others who have these symptoms should not visit patients in the hospital to avoid spreading the virus.
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.
Mayo General Hospital wishes to thank patients and the public for their cooperation and apologise for any inconvenience caused.
