Mallow General Hospital in Co. Cork has brought in visitor restrictions due to the high number of patients with influenza.

Strict visiting restrictions remain in place at Cork University Hospital (CUH) due to an outbreak of influenza, with no end date currently set for their easing.

Ireland’s flu season struck well ahead of its expected arrival in 2019, and saw a surge in the country’s trolley figures across December.

So-called 'Aussie Flu' is expected to have a big influence here this winter.

The HSE says influenza is still circulating in Ireland, six weeks into flu season, with 34 confirmed deaths being reported.

The HSE has said this year's flu season would appear to have already peaked.

Less than 40% of the country’s nursing staff have had the flu vaccine — and influenza season is set to peak next week.

The Health Minister is considering extending hours for some hospital services, to deal with the latest spike in hospital overcrowding.

The number of influenza-like cases in the first five weeks of this year are up more than two and a half times from the same period in 2015.