Covid-19 is continuing to have a significant impact on Letterkenny University Hospital, with seven outbreaks reported over the weekend.
There are 61 patients with the virus receiving treatment at the hospital, as of 8pm last night. A further eight cases were confirmed in the past 24 hours.
One patient with the virus is in ICU, the hospital reports.
Cases at the hospital are up 38% in one week.
Saolta has said the Covid-19 situation is having an impact on the bed availability in the hospital and along with the high number of people who are presenting to the Emergency Department is resulting in long delays for patients are waiting for a bed to become available on a ward.
“Access for visitors to outbreak wards is limited to compassionate grounds only at this time and these visits should be arranged in advance by calling the hospital and speaking with the nurse manager,” a spokesperson said.
Visiting to other wards is by appointment only with one visit per patient, per day. To make an appointment contact the ward or unit in advance (before 3pm). Appointments are for 30 minutes and are staggered across all ward areas each day at 6.30pm, 7.15pm and 8pm.
Visitors are asked to wear a mask in all areas of the hospital at all times and practice good hand hygiene regularly during their time in the hospital. People who are intending to visit the hospital must delay their visit if they have any symptoms of COVID-19 or have been in contact with someone with symptoms such as a temperature, dry cough, fatigue, sore throat or headache. Any visitors to the hospital must be at least 48 hours symptom-free. These precautions are necessary to keep patients, visitors and staff safe and to help prevent the introduction or spread of COVID-19 in the hospital.
Regarding appointments, Saolta said that outpatient and other appointments are going ahead. “Please come to the appointment unless you are contacted by a member of staff from the hospital and told otherwise. However, if you have any COVID-19 symptoms, please call the number on your appointment letter to rearrange the appointment.”
