An outbreak of a ‘superbug’ and cases of flu is leading to delays at University Hospital Waterford.

According to the INMO 40 patients were on trolleys at UHW this morning. 33 patients were in the Emergency Department with a further 7 on trolleys in wards.

It comes as a ban on visitors is in place in both medical wards due to an outbreak of CPE. CPE is the newest in a long line of antibiotic resistant bacteria, it lives harmlessly in the gut of healthy people but can be lethal if it gets into the bloodstream or urine.

The hospital says it has high levels of isolated patients at present.

A spokesperson for told WLR News that “University Hospital Waterford is currently experiencing high demand in respect to unscheduled care and trauma.

“There are visiting restrictions in place to Medical Wards due to the outbreak of CPE, and inpatient capacity is challenged due to high levels of isolated patients with a number of in-house flu cases confirmed.

“All actions are being undertaken to ensure optimal discharges and reduce the numbers awaiting admission to an inpatient bed.”