Archive: 15/07/2021

RSV and other viruses: Please do not visit patients in hospital if you are unwell

Nelson Marlborough, like other regions in New Zealand, is experiencing an increase in respiratory illness amongst pre-school aged children and infants.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the causes of illness that has been identified. RSV is a common virus that affects all age groups but is especially severe for infants less than one year old, for older people and people who are immunocompromised. It is very infectious and can easily pass from person to person through coughing and sneezing. 

To help protect our vulnerable patients, and also our staff, from catching RSV we:

  • have closed maternity wards, children's wards and special care baby units to visitors (excluding a child's immediate caregiver)
  • ask people not to visit patients in any ward in our hospitals if they have cold or flu symptoms
  • ask people with outpatient appointments to phone before their appointment if they are unwell, for advice about what to do
  • ask people who have to be in our hospitals to take precautions if they are unwell: ask for a face mask during your visit, sanitise your hands, wash your hands thoroughly before entering the hospital and try to avoid touching too many things.

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COVID-19