HSE warns parents to cocoon new babies as respiratory illnesses run rampant

with respiratory cases mounting across the country's hospital network, HSE CEO Bernard Gloster said it is focused on reducing discharge delays facing patients already finished their hospital care. Picture: Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland

The HSE has issued a stark warning to parents to cocoon new babies as it battles to tackle "extraordinarily high" levels of RSV and flu across the country.

There were 829 new cases of RSV and 283 of flu last week. That was the highest weekly RSV count ever. There was also the highest ever number (335) of people hospitalised with the virus.