Overcrowding remains at high levels in hospitals with hundreds of people waiting for beds on Thursday morning, while flu outbreaks in healthcare settings continue to increase.
University Hospital Limerick and Cork University Hospital had the worst overcrowding, according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, with 77 and 59 patients without beds respectively.
It comes as the infectious disease watchdog published its latest data on respiratory illnesses in the State.
Three people have died and more than 400 people have been hospitalised due to influenza this winter season, according to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC).
The number of notified flu cases increased by 91 per cent in the past week from 277 to 528 cases for the week ending December 8th.
The number of hospitalisations doubled when compared to the previous week, with 149 people sent to hospital and two intensive care admissions last week. There have been more than 400 patients admitted to hospital due to flu since the end of September.
For the season to date, eight intensive care admissions and three deaths have been reported.
There has also been an increase in flu outbreaks in health and care settings in the past week. So far this winter season, flu cases in hospital are mainly affecting older adults and young children, the HSE said.
Dr Colm Henry, chief clinical officer of the HSE, said flu is “actively circulating in the community”, warning rates of Covid-19 could also increase in the coming weeks.
“I would urge all those who are eligible to put winter vaccines on your to-do list and get them done. This will keep you and your family protected, allowing you to concentrate on all the things that need to be done in the build up to Christmas,” he said.
“This year, we have extended the flu vaccine to more people, making it available for free to everyone aged 60 years and older.”
