Strict measures are in place inside.

But Cork University Hospital has now been forced to ask patients and visitors not to flout the rules by meeting outside the building in the hospital car park.

With 65 Covid-19 positive patients currently receiving care at CUH, and 100 nurses forced to stay home because they have the virus or they are a close contact, management is doing everything they can to keep frontline workers and critically ill patients safe.

Due to COVID-19 our visiting restrictions remain in place, this is to protect our patients and staff, we ask that visitors do not meet with patients in cars in the hospital car parks, this could expose the patient to COVID-19 & lead to subsequent outbreaks in the wards. #COVID19

— Cork University Hosp (@CUH_Cork) January 5, 2021

“Due to COVID-19 our visiting restrictions remain in place, this is to protect our patients and staff, we ask that visitors do not meet with patients in cars in the hospital car parks, this could expose the patient to COVID-19 and lead to subsequent outbreaks in the wards.” the hospital tweeted this morning.

With 817 patients battling coronavirus in Irish hospitals today, 73 of whom are receiving care in the ICU, the pressure is mounting on hospital staff, who are asking patients and visitors alike to adhere to the rules.