Many hospitals are facing into yet another week of severe overcrowding with 448 patients suffering respiratory illness and hundreds of people in need of emergency care on trolleys. HSE figures showed 431 patients on trolleys across the country and another 811 having to be moved from emergency departments today to other areas of hospitals to reduce congestion. There were 115 people waiting over 24 hours for a bed this morning, including seven patients over 75. In an update the HSE said 448 people are currently hospitalised with respiratory illness including 279 with flu, 42 suffering from Covid, 127 diagnosed with RSV. Other hospitals under pressure include Tallaght University Hospital, Cork University Hospital, Galway University Hospital and Mayo University Hospital .

Source: Irish Independent January 19, 2026 21:02 UTC