News

Norovirus outbreak hotel to remain closed over Christmas

The Slieve Russell Hotel will remain closed over Christmas due to the Norovirus bug. Picture: Colm O'Reilly.
The Slieve Russell Hotel will remain closed over Christmas due to the Norovirus bug. Picture: Colm O'Reilly. The Slieve Russell Hotel will remain closed over Christmas due to the Norovirus bug. Picture: Colm O'Reilly.

ONE of Ireland’s luxury hotels is to remain closed over Christmas due to the norovirus bug outbreak.

As the winter vomiting bug spread, it was also confirmed yesterday that a Derry care home for the elderly has been temporarily closed. However, the Western Trust confirmed that three of the wards at Altnagelvin hospital closed because of the virus had now re-opened.

The four-star Slieve Russell hotel in County Cavan closed earlier this week after some guests and staff came down with the illness.

The hotel’s manager, Tony Walker said the move was as a proactive and precautionary measure to curb the spread of the sickness. “The health and safety of our staff, visitors and guests at the Slieve Russell is of paramount importance to us and we are taking every precaution to safeguard the health and wellbeing of all our patrons,” he said.

However, a spokeswoman at the popular hotel – once owned by Sean Quinn’s family – confirmed yesterday it would now remain closed until January. The spokeswoman said this was the first time the hotel would not be open during the festive season. She said staff were working closely with the Republic’s Health Service Executive to eradicate the virus.

All new admissions to the Brooklands care home in Derry have also been suspended after the facility was forced to close due to the virus.

It is understood up to a dozen residents, as well as a number of staff, at the Northland Road home are suffering from the bug.

Brooklands owner, Therese Conway said the closure was difficult for staff and residents. “Carol singers and music and the residents’ Christmas party have had to be cancelled but hopefully we can reconvene all that when the norovirus is cleared,” she said.

A spokesman for the Western Trust confirmed that two wards remained closed at Altnagelvin hospital due to the bug. On Tuesday, the Trust revealed five wards at Altnagelvin and a further ward at Derry’s Waterside hospital had closed.

The spokesman said: “Wards 31 and 2 at Altnagelvin hospital and Waterside ward 4 are temporarily closed to accepting new admissions due to Norovirus winter vomiting bug.

“A number of wards are partially open to new admissions whilst all other wards are being closely monitored.”

He urged people not to come to the hospital if they or someone at home had symptoms of Norovirus. However, the spokesman stressed that patients should still attend outpatient and clinic appointments if they did not have any Norovirus symptoms.

“Please think carefully before coming to the Emergency Department unless your condition is serious and urgent,” the spokesman said.