Visitor ban at all residential centres

THE HSE has extended visitor restrictions to all community healthcare residential centres in County Wexford and the south east, in a bid to contain the Covid-19 respiratory illness.

The action is under way as part of ongoing HSE vigilance in relation to the coronavirus and the reduction of opportunities for it to spread.

District and community hospitals, residential care centres for the elderly, accommodation units for those with disabilities and inpatient and continuing care facilities for mental health are all now subject to a visitor ban, in the interest of patient care.

The HSE/South East Community Healthcare said it regrets this inconvenience but it is necessary to help maximise protection for both patients and staff.

Where appropriate, mobile phone contact between families should be considered as an alternative to visiting.

The HSE crisis management team for the South East is meeting locally several times a week, to ensure the acute hospitals and community healthcare services are responding appropriately to the evolving circumstances.

The public are also reminded that the practice of good hand hygiene, in addition to good respiratory etiquette (in relation to coughing and sneezing), will help to protect healthcare workers and service users.

For information and advice, please see www.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/coronavirus. html