16,019 new Covid cases with 101 outbreaks across hospitals

As of 8am today, 1,047 patients with the virus are in hosptial. Some 42 are in intensive care. Picture: iStock

Some 16,019 new cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed with hospitalisations rising again.

The Department of Health confirmed that there has been 6,284 PCR-confirmed cases of the virus as well as 9,735 positive antigen tests registered through the HSE portal.

As of 8am today, 1,047 patients with the virus are in hosptial. Some 42 are in intensive care.

It is the second day in a row that the number of Covid hospitalisations has been above 1,000, with today's figure up five from Monday. 

Monday was the first day the figure topped 1,000 since January. 

More than 31,000 cases were confirmed between Friday and Monday, consisting of 11,975 positive PCR test results and 19,915 positive antigen test results.

Meanwhile, the HSE has said there are 101 Covid outbreaks across hospitals.

There has also been a further 595 outbreaks across community care services including nursing homes which are leading to bed and ward closures and delaying patient discharge from hospital care.

The health service has urged the public to consider all care options before attending emergency departments due to two bank holidays and the weekend coming together.

It added that St Patrick’s Day has always been a very busy day for emergency departments.

In a statement, it said that while the number of patients requiring ICU care has remained stable, "it is important to note the impact on hospital services of the recent steady rise in admissions is extremely challenging, placing significant pressure on Emergency Departments and patient waiting times for admission to hospitals".

The Covid outbreaks are impacting hospitals’ ability to admit patients.

"EDs are also reporting a sharp increase in the number of patients presenting for treatment and care who, following treatment in the ED are discharged home. Some of these patients could have been treated at other healthcare services such as Injury Units, GP and GP out of Hour services and pharmacies."

Anne O’Connor, Chief Operations Officer at the HSE, said: “Anyone who suspects they may be facing an emergency situation should of course come to the emergency department and they will be seen and treated.

"However, we would ask those who may be in a non-urgent situation to help our staff through a challenging time by looking at other healthcare options where possible.”

Last week emergency departments recorded more than 28,347 patient attendances, the highest on record. 

The HSE said that emergency departments will continue to see and treat patients who require urgent and emergency treatment first. 

It added that patients who attend for routine and non-urgent treatment are being advised that they will experience long waiting times over the coming weekend and into early next week.

Phil Ní Sheaghdha, general secretary of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) yesterday warned: "The fact that we have 544 patients on trolleys today and over 1,042 patients in hospitals with Covid-19 almost two years to the day that the virus first reached our shores is a recipe for disaster".

Today, the number of patients waiting on trolleys was higher again, with the INMO recording 567 patients waiting for beds.