In a statement to Shannonside Northern Sound this afternoon, The HSE has confirmed that residents from the affected ward will be temporarily relocated to another unit within the care centre.

The deputy claimed it is 'utterly unacceptable' that the HSE has not staffed the MRI scanner.

Over 5 thousand patients in the Shannonside Northern Sound region left emergency departments without being seen in the first half of this year.

The longest waiting list in the country is in Kerry and Cork at 976.

The decision has been made due to the impact of increasing costs have had on the organisation's ability to provide services.

That's according to a local GP who says the extension of free GP care to children aged six and seven could mean longer waiting times for medical appointments.

The HSE yesterday confirmed Eris - a more transmissable form of the Omicron strain, which has become established in the UK and US - has now been detected in Ireland.

Saolta has released a statement to remind the public to stay safe this weekend.