Visitor ban in place at Kilkenny hospital due to Covid outbreak and vomiting bug

Sarah Slater

A visitor ban is in place at St Luke’s General Hospital in Kilkenny due to an outbreak of Covid-19 and a vomiting bug.

The temporary suspension across all hospital wards is effective from Friday.

A spokesperson for the Ireland East Hospital Group (IEHG) explained that the ban is due to increased infection control measures required for Covid-19 and Norovirus (Vomiting and Diarrhoea).

Access to the wards will only be allowed in exceptional circumstances, as determined by each ward manager.

“Designated visitors will be asked to wear a mask and appropriate PPE whilst in the hospital. The situation will be reviewed on an on-going basis and any further changes will be advised, ” the spokesperson said.

Visiting will only be allowed in exceptional circumstances such as end of life non-Covid-19 patients and critically ill patients with two nominated relatives being allowed respectively.

One parent will only be allowed to visit children in the Paediatric Unit at any time. Children should not visit the hospital but those visiting the Maternity Unit for appointments remain unchanged.

The spokesperson said: “We ask the public to consider their care options, if possible. Please consult with your GP or pharmacist before attending ED in St Luke’s General Hospital. However, if urgent care is required, patients should attend the hospital.

“We advise patients to only attend the hospital Emergency Department if absolutely necessary and to not bring children (unless the children are ill).  St Luke’s General Hospital would like to assure people that anyone seriously injured or ill will be assessed and treated as a priority.”

The IEHG is reminding he public that anyone who is experiencing Covid-19 like symptoms to contact their GP in the first instance and avoid attending the ED if they feel that they might need to be treated for the virus.