Health chiefs are “working rapidly” to identify patients of a doctor who worked a busy shift at a hospital - not knowing he had the coronavirus.
The Co Clare medic, his wife, and their young son and daughter, have all tested positive for the virus and are into isolation bays at University Hospital Limerick (UHL).
They are being monitored by staff wearing gowns, gloves, and eye goggles.
Any contacts the infected family had are being tracked down - not just the doctor’s patients.
It was at this same hospital that the doctor worked a full shift at the emergency department last Wednesday week after having returned from a family trip to northern Italy.
The A&E was closed to allow for a deep clean after the doctor and his family tested positive.
A joint statement statement yesterday said: “UL Hospitals Group and HSE MidWest Community Healthcare can confirm they are working closely with public health colleagues in tracing contacts of four confirmed cases of COVID-19.
“These patients are currently isolated in hospital and receiving appropriate care.
“The cases were confirmed on March 4th and public health are now working rapidly to identify any contacts this small cluster may have had in the days prior to this positive result.
“This work will be completed as quickly as possible.
“Public health colleagues are in the process of informing the relevant contacts and advising on any relevant follow-up actions that may be necessary to protect their own health, that of their families and the community at large.
“The contacts include patients who attended Zone A (minor injuries) of the Emergency Department in UHL between the hours of 10am and 2pm on Wednesday, February 26.
“Patients in any other area of the Emergency Department or the wider hospital are not considered to be contacts.
“Patients who attended a small number of other health services are also being contacted by public health in line with procedure.”
Those who were working alongside the doctor have been asked to self isolate at home.
