In Roscommon, nurse Gráinne Keaveney was recently honoured with a preceptorship award at the hospital.

Covid-19 was detected at the hospital over the last 24 hours

In mid-January the HSE confirmed the decision that ambulances would transfer non-urgent patients to the facility.

It comes as a new eight bed centre opened in Roscommon recently.

The plan includes the construction of a new 25 bed unit as an outreach centre for the National Rehabilitation Hospital

Addressing the Daíl this morning Denis Naughten TD called on the Taoiseach to ensure no further delays to capacity upgrade works at the Ballinasloe Hospital.

Dr Gerry O' Mara says while he doesn't expect the new scheme will have any significant impact on overcrowding, it may prevent some older patients having to lie on trolleys for a number of days in an Emergency Department.

Mary Garvey says that extreme care must be taken to ensure only suitable patients are transferred to the hospital.