This article is from page 11 of the 2006-02-07 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 11 JPG
VISITING restrictions remain at two Ennis hospitals with four cases of the winter vomiting bug reported yesterday.
Two cases of the highly contagious infection were detected in the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Ennis yesterday, with a further two cases suspected at St Joseph’s Hospital, Ennis.
The Health Service Executive Mid- West Region first confirmed an outbreak of the virus in the Ennis hospitals eight days ago.
Eleven cases in total were confirmed among patients at the time. These patients have since recovered.
The winter vomiting bug is described as a community infection. Outbreaks in hospitals are thought to simply be a gauge or reflection of what is happening in the community.
“Attendance at the Accident and Emergency Department should only be if absolutely necessary,” said a HSE spokesperson.
Out-patient, day care services and routine hospital admissions are not affected by the restrictions however.