Ten new cases of the winter vomiting bug have emerged at St Vincent's University Hospital in Dublin in the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 173.
Some 105 staff members have also been affected by the bug and about half of those are currently on sick leave, the hospital said in a statement this evening.
St Vincent's statement
"Despite the hospital taking all the necessary precautions to curtail the spread of this highly contagious virus, practically all ward areas are affected, including parts of the Emergency Department. This is having an impact on bed allocation and admissions through the Emergency Department," the statement added.
"All elective procedures are being assessed and it is expected that the majority will again be deferred this week. Almost 50 elective procedures were deferred due to the virus last week. Outpatients are not affected and all patients are being requested to keep their appointments unless contacted by the hospital."
The hospital has appealed to the public not to attend the Emergency Department if they are simply suffering from after-effects of the virus, as it is easily spread to others who may be more seriously ill.
St Vincent's also appealing to the public to avoid visiting patients.
"Where visits need to take place, these will be strictly curtailed and visits by children are suspended. These visiting restrictions are essential for the health and safety of patients, visitors and staff and the hospital is appealing to all concerned to cooperate with these arrangements," the statement said.
Nicholas Jermyn, chief executive of the hospital, said yesterday that clinicians are reviewing the outbreak in the hospital twice daily.
"We are monitoring daily and we are still admitting some serious cases obviously that have to go ahead with procedures."