Portlaoise Hospital and Tullamore Hospital have out visitor restrictions in place as the number of cases of Coronavirus in Ireland continue to climb.
There are now a total of 19 confirmed cases of Covid-19 as experts scramble to try contain the spread.
In a bid to stop hospitals from becoming contaminated, visitor restrictions have been put in place this evening.
The restrictions are in place until next week where the situation will be reviewed.
A hospital spokesperson told Midlands 103: “We are asking the public not to visit the hospital other than end of life situations and other exceptional circumstances as agreed with the ward manager in advance of visiting.
“To arrange a visit, families should telephone the hospital and request to speak to the relevant ward manager who will decide if a visit can be facilitated without compromising the welfare of the patients on the ward.
“Children in particular should not visit patients in hospital.
“We recognise that the visiting restrictions may be challenging for patients and their families, however, our priority must be to protect the patients in the hospital who are vulnerable to infection.
“We would like to thank members of the public for their co-operation.”
SEE ALSO – Laois Abroad: From Raheen to San Francisco – the career break that became permanent
