Visiting restrictions have been imposed at UHG by the Saolta Hospital Group due a spike in the number of flu patients at the hospital.
People are asked not to visit UHG’s St. Nicholas’ Ward in order to prevent the further spread of the flu virus and protect the other patients at the hospital.
“We are appealing to people to co-operate with hospital staff for their own protection and the protection of their relatives in the hospital,” said UHG General Manager Ms Chris Kane.
In addition she asked people to consider limiting their visiting to other parts of the hospital for safety’s sake, and to stay away altogether if they have recently had symptoms of flu, to avoid bringing the virus into the hospital.
“Anyone carrying the flu virus can spread it for 1-2 days before developing symptoms and up to 5 days after symptoms develop,” Chris Kane said, adding that you may be spreading the virus and not even know it.
Staff are working hard to care for the many seriously ill patients at University Hospital Galway Chris Kane said, including from the additional risks posed by this spike in infections.
Flu is more severe in people aged 65 years and over, pregnant women, and anyone with a long-term medical condition, and is known to cause deaths and hospitalisations every year.
The HSE is urging people in such high risk groups to get the flu vaccine as the best way to avoid influenza,
