Altnagelvin: Flu closes Ward 25 to admissions
Public asked to avoid visiting the hospital if they are feeling unwell
Ward 25 in Derry's Altnagelvin Hospital has been temporarily closed to admissions.
In a social media post made at 4.00pm today (Friday), the Western Health and Social Care Trust said the ward had been closed to admissions "due to an increase in flu among patients".
The Trust added: "We are appealing to the public to avoid visiting the hospital if they are feeling unwell, and have coughs, colds or flu-like symptoms; or have any infectious conditions.
"Visitors are reminded to thoroughly wash their hands before and after visiting other parts of the hospital. Visitors should visit only one patient whilst at the hospital, refrain from sitting on hospital beds and not move among patients and from ward to ward when visiting.
"We also would encourage everyone to get their flu and COVID-19 Booster vaccinations to boost their immune systems and to protect themselves and others from serious illness and the spread of the flu this winter.
"As a precautionary measure and to prevent any further spread of the flu, a decision was made that Ward 25 be temporarily closed to new admissions. The situation is being closely monitored and we plan to reopen the ward to admissions as soon as possible," it said.
The Trust's Infection Prevention and Control team is continuing to provide advice and increased infection control measures have been taken at the hospital.