No hospital visits as flu outbreak worsens
We’re being warned to stay away from Sligo University Hospital if at all possible as the flu outbreak has gone ‘viral’ in the county.
The latest figures from the HSE on their flu map shows the flu is now widespread throughout the county.
The increasing numbers of patients coming down with the flu in the first week of 2018 has prompted hospital management to urge people not to visit patients in the hospital if they are suffering from the flu or have flu-like symptoms.
SUH General Manager Gráinne McCann said: “As flu can be carried in to the hospital by patients or visitors, we are asking people to only visit if necessary, in order to keep visitor numbers to a minimum.”
She reminded members of the public that visiting hours are from 2pm to 4pm and from 6.30-8.30pm only in their medical/surgical wards which “must be strictly adhered to.”
People with flu-like symptoms are advised to contact their GP by phone in the first instance and avoid presenting at the Emergency Department at SUH where possible.
Any patient presenting in any part of the hospital for any reason should also advise staff if they or a family member has been showing symptoms of flu, these include fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, headache, muscle and joint pain.
The hospital is also advising us to check http:// undertheweather.ie/ for practical advice on how to mind yourself or your family when you’re sick.
Sligo University Hospital is also urging at-risk groups to get the flu vaccine from their GP or pharmacist.
People in at-risk groups can get the flu vaccine itself free of charge (people without medical or GP visit cards may be charged an administration fee).
High-risk groups are:
• All those aged 65 years and older
• People including children with chronic illness requiring regular medical follow-up such as chronic lung disease, chronic heart disease, chronic neurological disorders, neuro-developmental disorders and diabetes
• Those with lower immunity due to disease or treatment and all cancer patients
• All pregnant women. The vaccine can be given safely at any stage of pregnancy.
• Those with morbid obesity i.e. Body Mass Index >⁄ 40
• Residents of nursing homes, old people’s homes and other long stay facilities
• Health care workers and carers of those in at-risk groups.
A HSE map shows that incidents of flu has increased in some areas and decreased in others since mid-De- cember.
The flu outbreak in Sligo has gone from ‘sporadic’ in week 51, to ‘ localised activity’ in week 52 and then jumped a category to ‘widespread in the first week of January.
The map shows that the flu has hit the East region, especially around Dublin, the hardest.