Threat of swine flu

MORE than 20 patients remained on trolleys at Cork’s three emergency departments yesterday, however a number of swine flu cases could see this figure rise again over the coming days.

At Cork University Hospital (CUH), there were nine patients on trolleys at lunchtime yesterday.

Clinical director at CUH Professor Richard Greene said CUH is experiencing an increase in the numbers of people presenting at its emergency department due to factors including an increase in the number of elderly unwell patients and an increase in flu and respiratory illness, but that the figures decreased significantly as inpatients are discharged and new patients are admitted.