A total of 742 people were in hospital with flu as of Friday, according to the HSE, which said the number of cases so far is at “the upper end” of predictions for the post-Christmas period.
The number of flu cases and people needing hospital treatment for the illness more than doubled last week, according to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HSPC). Case numbers increased from 999 to 2,375, while the numbers needing hospital care as a result of flu increased from 264 to 531 in the week ending December 22nd.
While the HSE had planned for hospitals facing increased pressure due to flu, it said “the numbers so far are at the upper end” of what had been predicted.
“Emergency departments are always available to treat seriously ill patients and the sickest patients are seen first. People with less severe injuries and symptoms may have to wait to be seen,” the HSE said.
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Bernard Gloster, HSE chief executive, said the healthcare system and acute hospitals in particular have been working well over the Christmas period, but he expects pressure to continue to build over the coming days.
“We would urge the public to use alternative healthcare services for treatment such as GP, GP out-of-hours, injury units and pharmacies when appropriate,” he said. “But if patients are very sick and in an emergency situation, they should of course come to their nearest emergency department.”
From Friday, additional daytime GP expanded clinics are available from some practices and additional supports for GP out-of-hours services are also being provided.
On Monday, the HSPC warned that flu circulating in the community will continue to increase over the coming weeks.
The HSE said on Friday that it is “still not too late” to get vaccinated as flu and Covid-19 vaccinations for target groups remain available.
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