Hospitals enforcing 'one visitor only' rule to stop spread of the flu

Eva Osborne

Many hospitals are enforcing a 'one visitor only' rule to help curb the spread of the flu.

The latest figures show 410 cases of the flu were reported last week, almost double the amount reported the previous week, while 171 Covid-19 cases were reported during the same period.

At least 18 hospitals around the country are limiting the number of visitors to one per patient.

GP Dr Ilona Duffy said it is difficult at this time of year, but necessary.

"We're not quite seeing it in every hospital yet but it's likely that we will. People have to understand why," she said.

"If you're in hospital, if you've been admitted to hospital, you're obviously fairly sick.

"And to get another infection on top of that, especially influenza, really could compromise the person in hospital's care, the patient's care, and obviously we have to safeguard all of the staff around the hospital too. So, I think this is probably a sensible approach."

The Mater Hospital has appealed to the public, where possible, to avoid its emergency department.

It said hospital services are under extreme pressure due to the large volume of patients in the hospital with influenza.

It has asked people to not attend the hospital to accompany or visit a patient if they are experiencing symptoms of influenza.

Tipperary University Hospital management has changed its visiting times to 6:30pm to 8:30pm daily.

It stated that visitors should note "that the numbers of patients with flu and respiratory symptoms are increasing daily and are requested not to visit if they are feeling unwell as this poses a risk to your loved one and other patients".

Children are not permitted to visit the hospital.