Covid-19 case in the Bons confirmed
Strict visitor restrictions are in place across several Cork hospitals with another case of Covid-19 confirmed on Leeside yesterday.
The second case of the virus through community transmission in the country was confirmed last night by the Department of Health and is associated with the Bon Secours Hospital in Cork where a risk assessment is underway. It follows on from a case being confirmed on Thursday evening in CUH.
The patient with the virus in the Bon Secours is being cared for in a single room and contact precautions have been in place since the patient’s arrival.
A spokesperson for the Bon Secours told the Cork Independent: “To protect patient privacy, we will make no further comment on the case. Coronavirus response teams have been in place at the Bon Secours health system for some time, with working groups at each facility and at group level. Bon Secours Health System is working closely too with the HSE and public health colleagues. Guidance on protocols to minimise risk to patients and staff are being shared on an ongoing basis.”
Visitor restrictions are in place at all Bon Secours health system facilities since Friday and are detailed on its website with the hospital reminding people that it is allowing one visitor per patient while no children or no visitors with symptoms of flu are allowed in.
Elective surgeries will continue as normal in the Bon Secours except in a very small number of cases and those patients are being contacted and out-patient appointments continue as normal including radiation and oncology.
“At present all our other hospitals continue to operate as normal too. Bon Secours Health System is taking all appropriate measures and our management, staff and consultants continue as always to rise to the challenge to look after their patients,” concluded the spokesperson.
There are now 21 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Ireland and the HSE has said that it is now working rapidly to identify any contacts the patients may have had, to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread.
Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer with the Department of Health, said: “Ireland remains in containment phase with 21 cases to date, three of which are associated with community transmission. Most people who become infected with Covid-19 experience a mild illness and recover, but it can be more severe for some.
“Every individual needs to be aware of how to protect their own health and the health of others.The most important way they can do this is by following public health advice. Central to this are the protective measures we can all take against Covid-19.”
Meanhile strict visitor restrictions are still in place across the South/South West Hospital Group due to infection control concerns.
The hospitals where these restrictions have been implemented are as follows:
- Cork University Hospital
- Cork University Maternity Hospital
- University Hospital Kerry
- University Hospital Waterford
- South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital
- Mercy University Hospital
- Bantry General Hospital
- Mallow General Hospital
This is in the interest of patient care and in order to prevent the spread of infection. Anyone with any queries about visiting times or visiting a particular hospital should ring the respective hospital directly.
A spokesperson for the hospital group said: “We regret any inconvenience caused to patients and relatives by these necessary measures. All infection control measures are in place and every effort is being made by each hospital to manage and contain the spread of infection.”
Management at the South/South West Hospital Group has requested that where appropriate the public contact their GP or out of hours service in the first instance and explore all other options available to them prior to presenting to emergency departments if their needs are not urgent.
Protective measures
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water.
- Maintain at least one metre distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Practice cough and sneeze hygiene like covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough/sneeze. Then dispose of the tissue immediately.
- Stay informed and keep up to date on latest Covid-19 information on hse.ie.
- The general public is advised to follow advice from the HSE and the Health Protection Surveillance Centre to protect their health.
- Any person who has travelled from an affected region in the past 14 days, or who has come in contact with a confirmed case in the past 14 days, and is concerned that they may have symptoms of Covid-19 should immediately isolate themselves from others and phone their GP.