Hospital overcrowding: Flu kills 7 in just 14 days as A&Es struggle

Seven people have died of influenza, six in the space of a fortnight, at a time when emergency departments (EDs) are besieged by patients affected by the flu virus and the winter vomiting bug.

Up to December 18, one person had died. By January 1, the number had jumped 600% to seven, according to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC).

The majority of hospitalisations are among the over-65s. The current flu vaccine is just 50%-60% effective in preventing hospitalisation among elderly people living in long-term care. However, it is 70%-80% effective in preventing death.