The HSE is seeing an increase in people with respiratory illnesses attending emergency departments as 538 people with flu and 282 with Covid attended EDs this week, an increase from 312 (flu) and 144 (Covid) the previous week. Increasing community infection rates will lead to increased risk of outbreaks in hospitals, nursing homes and residential care facilities, potentially affecting the most vulnerable people. There are currently 30 outbreaks of Covid in hospitals and 24 in nursing homes, again an increase from last week. "Acute hospitals are as prepared as can be to deal with the expected rise in attendances and admissions over the coming period. However the rise in flu and COVID infection is very steep, and we would urge the public to attend the ED only for major health emergencies.

Source: The Herald December 29, 2023 14:03 UTC