From this morning, Sligo and Letterkenny university hospitals are deferring all procedures and appointments, except for very urgent cases.
This is to ensure that the hospitals have the necessary capacity to deal with any increase in suspected and confirmed COVID 19 cases.
In both Sligo and Letterkenny University Hospitals, only very urgent inpatient, day surgery, diagnostics tests and outpatient appointments will be dealt with.
A spokesperson for the Saolta Group says a small number of urgent cancer and time critical procedures, appointments or tests will proceed and these patients will advised directly by the hospitals.
Patients are asked not to attend the hospital unless they have had confirmation from the hospital that their appointment is going ahead.
The spokesperson also asked patients not to bring anyone with them unless it is absolutely necessary, and children are not permitted to attend with patients.
Meanwhile, visiting restriction continue across each of the hospitals in the Saolta Group.
Members of the public are reminded that they should not visit hospitals except for end of life situations and other exceptional circumstances as agreed with the ward manager in advance of visiting.
To arrange a visit, families should telephone the hospital and request to speak to the relevant ward manager.
Meanwhile, permitted visitors should not to come to any of the hospitals if they have a fever or respiratory symptoms.
