Health chiefs have introduced more restrictions as the number of people with Covid has risen substantially in the Isle of Man.

Manx Care says the situation is hitting its staff and services.

Now people must wear IIR fluid-resistant face mask wearing and social distancing across all of its health and social care settings.

All day procedures today (Friday) have been cancelled with all patients affected having been contacted. All elective admissions planned for next week will be reviewed daily with patients contacted if affected.

These cancellations have been implemented to ensure staff are free to work in other areas including the Covid ward.

The cataract surgery waiting list initiative is unaffected at this time.

Ward 4 will close to inpatients but all women’s health outpatient appointments will continue.

Currently the visiting policy is unchanged except for visitors to the Covid ward which will only be possible in exceptional circumstances.

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Social care services are also being adapted to deal with staff absences due to Covid.

Manx Care continues to ask all members of the public to voluntarily take a Lateral Flow Test (LFD) around 45 minutes to one hour before visiting one of its health and social care settings. LFDs will continue to be used as the island moves to endemic phase of ‘Living with Covid’ on 31 March 2022. LFDs will to be available to order online.

Manx Care will shortly launch the spring booster vaccination campaign for those over 75 and those over 12 years old who are immunosuppressed.

The vaccination programme is continuing with the public reminded that the final walk-in clinics are next week at Chester Street Vaccination hub as follows:Monday, March21, between 11.30-18.30; Tuesday 22 7.30-14.30; Wednesday 23 10.00-1400; Thursday 24 10.00-1400; Friday 25 10.00-1400.

After these last walk-in clinics an appointment will be required for any vaccine dose, whether a first, second or third primary dose or a first booster dose. It will not be possible to book a booster online nor walk-in for a vaccination after Friday, March 25.

Chief executive Teresa Cope said: “We are asking the public to work with us as we implement measures to keep our services running while maintaining the safety of staff and patients. We are aware there have been long waits in Noble’s Hospital emergency department and apologise for this.”

“We are grateful to our colleagues, across all our health and social care services, who continue to work in difficult circumstances in different areas to their normal place of work as we adapt and monitor the impact of Covid.”