NEW restrictions have been announced for visiting the St Mary's Hospital site.

The Isle of Wight NHS Trust has announced restrictions to visiting for all of its services in response to Covid-19.

The changes take effect from noon today (March 17) until further notice.

We know that it’s important for our patients to see family and friends but keeping visits to the absolute minimum will help prevent the spread of infection.

Who can visit?

Visiting should be limited to only essential visiting which has been arranged with the ward manager.

Exceptions will be made for the following patient groups where close family and friends visiting the may be admitted:

Patients in critical care

Vulnerable young adults

Psychiatric patients

Loved ones who are receiving end of life care.

Children should not visit the wards.

Are you unwell?

If you have either:

a high temperature – you feel hot to touch on your chest or back

a new, continuous cough – this means you've started coughing repeatedly

Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or come to hospital.

Visit nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19 for more information.

What infection control procedures should you follow in the hospital?

Any visitors who have permission to visit should adhere to the following infection control guidelines:

Wash your hands thoroughly before arriving at the hospital

Use the hand hygiene gels at the entrance to the hospital and throughout the hospital

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough and sneeze and put used tissues into a bin

Wash your hands thoroughly before leaving the hospital