The HSE has said a “very steep” rise in the number of flu and Covid cases has caused a jump in the number of people admitted to hospital.
The Health Service Executive is seeing an increase in people with respiratory illnesses attending emergency departments and has urged the public to only attend an emergency room for “major health emergencies”.
This week saw 538 people with flu and 282 with Covid attend emergency rooms – an increase from 312 (flu) and 144 (Covid) the previous week.
HSE Chief Clinical Officer Dr Colm Henry said: “Our emergency departments are expected to encounter significant pressures as a result and we know from experience that a delayed peak in flu season such as we are seeing now, will inevitably lead to further pressures throughout the healthcare system with heightened risk of outbreaks in all facilities and delays discharging patients to nursing homes or step down facilities if they have flu or Covid.”
There are 30 Covid outbreaks in hospitals and 24 in nursing homes, also an increase on last week.
“This increase in viruses circulating obliges anyone with respiratory symptoms to avoid visiting hospitals and nursing homes if we have respiratory symptoms,” Dr Henry added.
“Every healthcare setting is assessing the risks locally and monitoring their own local risks, and this may lead them to take additional measures in certain settings, such as the wearing of masks if deemed necessary.”
People should consider using a local pharmacy and HSE.ie before going to a GP or emergency department if they have respiratory symptoms, the HSE said.
The HSE is urging every eligible person to get vaccinated against flu and Covid as soon as possible.
Dr Éamonn O’Moore, HSE Director of National Health Protection, said: “The new JN.1 variant of Covid is fast becoming the dominant strain.
“This variant may be more transmissible than previous variants, resulting in more infections. We are still collating data in Ireland and internationally on whether it will result in more illness requiring hospital care but at this time we are not seeing that signal.
“However, with more infection around, there is greater risk some people who are vulnerable could become ill and require hospital care and we still need to protect our vulnerable members of society, children and adults, by doing what we can to reduce the spread of respiratory viruses.”
Children aged between two and 17 can avail of a free nasal vaccine in 38 clinics.
No appointment is required but a form of identification is needed.
The HSE is encouraging parents and carers to avail of the walk-in clinics, saying “children are more likely to contract and pass on flu and can become seriously ill as a result.”
Consultant in Public Health Medicine with the HSE’s National Immunisation Office, Dr Aparna Keegan, said: “Vaccinating children protects them – and their siblings, parents, grandparents and those who are vulnerable.”
“With increased socialisation at this time of year the risk of contracting flu becomes greater.”
