The Mater Hospital in Dublin has confirmed that it is cancelling most waiting list surgeries and outpatient appointments as coronavirus fears continue to grow across the country.
The hospital will only go ahead with essential activities and hundreds of patients will now have their appointments put on hold.
They said: "The Mater Misericordiae University Hospital is limiting activity at the hospital to essential services only from today (Thursday, March 12).
"This means that all outpatient appointments and elective surgeries will be limited to essential services only until further notice.
"The Mater regrets the impact that this will have on our patients but these new arrangements are necessary in order to deal with the impact of COVID-19.
"Patients whose appointments are being deferred will be contacted by phone.
"Our staff across every part of the hospital are carrying out Trojan work around the clock to deal with the virus, care for those infected and to protect and care for other patients in the hospital.
"The Mater Hospital is employing all infection control measures and every effort is being made to manage and control the spread of the virus.
"Visitor restrictions remain in place for public and patient safety. The only visitors who are allowed on campus are those who are visiting patients in critical care, vulnerable young adults, or those whose loved ones are receiving end of life care.
"No children are permitted to visit the hospital under any circumstances. We thank the public and our patients for their cooperation at this time."
An Irish coronavirus patient died yesterday in the east of the country.
Meanwhile, nine new cases were confirmed in the Republic of Ireland on Wednesday, bringing the total number of cases on the island of Ireland to 61, with 43 in the Republic.
