Visitor ban at Navan Hospital amid surge in Covid cases

Visiting restrictions have been imposed at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, with immediate effect, amid a surge in Covid-19 cases.

In a statement today a hospital spokesperson said that due to "increased infection control measures, required at this time for Covid 19, Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan, will be temporarily suspending hospital visiting effective immediately except for those visiting in exceptional circumstances, as determined by each ward manager."

Patients are also being asked to only attend the Emergency Department at the hospital if absolutely necessary.

"There are a number of Covid and non-Covid-19 patients presenting to the ED. We ask the public to consider their care options, if possible. Please consult with your GP or pharmacist before attending ED in Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan.

"We advise patients to only attend the hospital ED if absolutely necessary.

"Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan would like to assure people that anyone seriously injured or ill will be assessed and treated as a priority."

The HSE is also reminding the general public that anyone who is experiencing Covid-19 like symptoms to please contact their GP in the first instance and to avoid coming directly to ED if you feel you might need to be treated for Covid-19 or you wish to have a test.

Getting an early diagnosis from your GP means you can get the help you need and take steps to avoid spreading the virus if you have it.

Covid 19 symptoms:

Fever (high temperature - 38 degrees Celsius or above)

A new cough - this can be any kind of cough.

Shortness of breath or breathing difficulties

Loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal.

A new variant (Eris) is established in the UK and US, and has been detected in Ireland. It is more transmissible than previous circulating variants and has been associated with outbreaks, including in hospitals, in Ireland and elsewhere.

There is currently no evidence of increased clinical severity of infection but people are still advised to follow COVID-19 prevention measures.