HSE update on Portlaoise hospital visiting restrictions in Laois
Flu forced HSE to impose strict measures at Portlaoise hospital
The HSE has given an update the strict visiting restrictions imposed at Portlaoise hospital due a flu outbreak.
The HSE Dublin Midlands imposed tight restrictions on public visits to patients in the Laois hospital on Friday, April 25.
It said the measure had to be taken to prevent the transmission of influenza that is circulating in the community. The curb at the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise was extended on Monday, April 28. A further review was carried out on Tuesday morning, April 29 but the HSE extended it further.
Visiting to wards was restricted to compassionate purposes. Any visiting for critical or compassionate purposes had to be arranged in advance with the nurse in charge. It said the measures would be lifted as soon as possible when clinical circumstances allow.
The HSE confirmed the lifting of the measure just after 6pm on Wednesday, April 30 in a statement to the Leinster Experss / Laois Live.
"All visiting restrictions have now been lifted in Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise and normal visiting hours have resumed," said the statement.
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The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) is Ireland's specialist service for the surveillance of communicable diseases. Its Integrated Respiratory Virus Bulletins during week 16 of 2025 found that influenza, COVID-19 and RSV activity in Ireland was at low levels. It said influenza hospital bed occupancy nationally remained stable in recent weeks