Temporary visiting restrictions are being reintroduced at University Maternity Hospital Limerick following an outbreak of Covid-19.
The outbreak was declared on Tuesday after a number of patients in one ward tested positive.
Additional infection control measures have been put in place at University Maternity Hospital Limerick following the outbreak of Covid-19 on December 28th.
Access for nominated support partners to inpatient wards is being limited to one two-hour slot per day between the hours of 2pm and 8pm.
The maternity hospital will facilitate additional access on compassionate grounds on a case-by-case basis and say they are
committed to increasing access for partners as soon as possible.
An online system is available for nominated support partners to complete a COVID-19 questionnaire in advance of attending the hospital.
UMHL are also encouraging partners to consider taking an antigen test before visiting and ask that anyone showing symptoms avoid the facility.
The temporary restrictions affect inpatient wards only and partners will still be permitted access to the labour ward, theatre, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, High Dependency Unit, Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit, during emergency high risk admissions, 12-week scan and anomaly scan.
The hospital say that the restrictions are being extended to all wards as a precautionary measure due to the high level of transmission in the community and due to an increase in the number of Covid-related staff absences.
UMHL also expect to admit a number of women who’ve tested positive for the virus in the coming days.
An outbreak control team has been established and UMHL wish to reassure patients and their loved ones that all appropriate infection control precautions are being followed to minimise the risk of spreading.
The temporary restrictions will be reviewed on a continuing basis and a further update will be issued in the coming days.
