Ward Nine of the Erne Hospital which was closed recently following an outbreak of MRSA has partially reopened.

A decision was taken two weeks ago to close the Ward to the admission of new patients after an increased number of patients were detected with MRSA.

Giving an update on the situation, a spokesperson for the Western Health and Social Care Trust explained: "A meeting of the outbreak team, which has been meeting on an ongoing basis and keeping the situation in Ward Nine under review, was held on Friday. A decision was made to reopen a number of bays in the ward to the admission of new patients.

"Following the completion of appropriate cleaning, three bays in Ward Nine were available for the admission of new patients on Saturday, 5 July," he explained.

"Seven patients associated with the MRSA outbreak remain in isolation or cohort bays in the hospital and are being treated and screened.

"The situation is being kept under review. The Trust appreciates the assistance of the public in cooperating fully with the infection control measures in place and asks them to continue with this cooperation."