ST JAMES’S HOSPITAL says visiting remains closed today, following a flu outbreak.

Following senior management and clinical review this afternoon, the hospital said the decision was made to continue the restrictions.

Planned admissions are also severely curtailed, to allow for a small volume of time-critical admissions.

The hospital’s Intensive Care Unit remains closed to planned surgical cases.

Out-patient, day ward and diagnostic services will operate as usual tomorrow.

The public are urged to continue to cooperate with the ward visiting restrictions today, and tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Cork’s Mercy University Hospital (MUH) has also started to implement restrictions due to an increased number of flu cases.

A statement issued this afternoon said that the restrictions will remain in place today and will be reviewed again tomorrow.

MUH is restricting all hospital visits, with the exception of the children’s ward and critical care areas, due to an increased number of Influenza cases.

People with flu-like symptoms are advised to telephone or visit their GPs, in the first instance, rather than presenting at the hospital’s Emergency Department.

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