Overview
- As of Tuesday, 677 people are in hospital with respiratory illness, including flu, Covid‑19 and RSV, according to the HSE.
- Confirmed influenza reports fell to 1,777 last week from 3,547 the week before, with officials cautioning that a post‑peak plateau is likely in the weeks after Christmas.
- The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation reported 181 admitted patients awaiting beds on Sunday morning.
- Extra capacity includes 20,000 additional GP clinic hours from December 8 to February 15 and a further 20,000 GP out‑of‑hours hours from St Stephen’s Day, with about 140,000 patients expected to be seen.
- HSE advice urges people who are ill to stay home, avoid contact with vulnerable individuals, consider vaccination through GPs and pharmacists, and use GP, out‑of‑hours and injury unit services for non‑emergencies.