Bug outbreak: Seventeen hospitals across the State are now trying to contain outbreaks of the winter vomiting bug. In several hospitals, it has resulted in ward closures, writes Eithne Donnellan, Health Correspondent
By far the worst-affected is Dublin's St Vincent's Hospital, where surgery on a number of patients has had to be postponed.
But 16 other hospitals also confirmed yesterday they had patients with symptoms.
These are St James's, Beaumont, Tallaght, and the Mater in Dublin; Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda; Galway's University College Hospital; Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe; St Luke's Hospital in Kilkenny; St Joseph's Hospital in Clonmel; the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Limerick; Kerry General; Mallow General, Bantry General Hospital, the Mercy Hospital in Cork, and the South Infirmary/Victoria Hospital also in Cork; and Portlaoise General Hospital.
Some 18 new cases of the winter vomiting bug were recorded at St Vincent's Hospital yesterday. There have been 159 cases among patients at the hospital to date, and some 96 staff have also fallen ill.
Practically all ward areas, including parts of A&E, are affected. It is expected most planned elective procedures at the hospital this week will be deferred. Around 50 patients had their procedures deferred last week, and visiting restrictions are in place.
Hospital chief executive Nicholas Jermyn said he hoped the outbreak would peak in the next day or two. At St James's Hospital, 11 patients in two wards have symptoms of the bug.
Three wards are closed at Galway's University College Hospital as a result of an outbreak. There were also two suspected cases at Portiuncula Hospital yesterday and six patients with symptoms at St Luke's in Kilkenny, where a surgical ward has been closed to new admissions.
Tallaght said it had a small number of cases. The Mater Hospital said 11 beds were closed as a result of an outbreak. There were also three patients with symptoms at Beaumont yesterday.
Portlaoise General Hospital said it had one suspected case and St Joseph's in Clonmel three. There were also three suspected cases at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda and four at the Mid Western Regional Hospital in Limerick.