This article is from page 10 of the 2014-02-25 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 10 JPG
VISITING restrictions have been put in place at the region’s largest hospital in a bid to curb the spread of influenza.
Last week the HSE advised that people be vaccinated against the seasonal flu as eight people have died so far this season as a result of the flu.
Just last night, (Monday) University Hospital Limerick was added to the list of hospital with visitor restrictions, which bans children visiting the hospital at any time during this period.
Visiting is permitted during normal visiting hours only, from 2pm to 4pm and 6.30pm to 8.30pm, with one visitor only allowed to visit a patient.
“Visitors who arrive outside of these times will not be permitted to enter the hospital,” a spokesperson said.
“Hospital authorities have reminded the public of the importance of complying with these restrictions, as visiting is a major contributing factor in spreading the disease,” she added.
The public are requested to co-operate fully with the advice and instruction of staff.
The HSE confirmed that there are no reports of any patients with flu in any of the four elderly units or hospitals in Clare or at Ennis Hospital.
The HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre figures show that five children aged under four years have been required to go into an intensive care unit in hospital and there has been a total of 31 under fours admitted to hospital with flu symptoms.
There were 34 people with confirmed influenza hospitalised last week, up from 26 the week before, and bringing the total to 118.
There has also been one confirmed case of swine flu in Cork.