Warning of 'substantial increase' in flu and covid in Munster

People have been advised to avoid socialising if feeling unwell and to get vaccinated amid a 'substantial increase' in flu and covid hospitalisations.

People living in Limerick, Clare, and North Tipperary have been asked to avoid socialising if feeling unwell and to get vaccinated amid a “substantial increase” in flu and covid hospitalisations.

HSE Mid-West has warned that the increasing transmission of illnesses is posing a short-term risk of "overwhelming" local health services during a flu season which is of “particular concern”.

The health service is expecting "significant pressure" in the coming weeks due to increasing hospitalisations.

Health officials say flu cases have more than quadrupled in two weeks from 10 cases to 43 cases while covid and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) continue to circulate in the community at high rates.

The number of admitted patients at University Hospital Limerick with either covid or flu has almost doubled from 13 patients to 24 in the last seven days.

There are currently 13 confirmed outbreaks of flu, covid, RSV, and norovirus (winter vomiting bug) in healthcare settings and long-term care facilities in the Mid-West.

Officials say the rise in respiratory illnesses is leading to a steep increase in presentations to emergency departments, a trend which they said is likely to continue in the coming weeks.

Mask-wearing may be implemented in some high-risk areas in acute hospital settings while “significant work” to support acute hospitals in dealing with the expected rise in attendances and admissions is being undertaken.

Mask-wearing may be implemented in some high-risk areas in acute hospital settings.

UL Hospitals Group chief director of nursing and midwifery Declan McNamara expects hospital services to come under “significant pressure” in the coming weeks.

“Enhanced infection prevention and control measures are in place in our hospitals and we have recommended that all staff and members of the public in clinical areas wear surgical masks,” he said.

“This flu season is one of particular concern due to the timing of substantial increase in cases.

"We are now starting to see the first spike in flu cases during a time of major social activity and festive celebrations, leading to an expected significant increase in the short-term,” said HSE Mid-West Area director of public health Dr Mai Mannix.

Dr Mannix said further pressure on the health system in the coming weeks could be reduced by avoiding socialising when feeling unwell and getting vaccinated against flu and covid.

“Getting vaccinated now can offer significant protections against acute respiratory infections as we approach the peak,” she said.

Those with flu-like symptoms are being asked to stay away from hospitals at this time while those presenting with symptoms are being told to notify staff immediately.

It comes as more than 800 people have attended the country’s emergency departments with covid and flu this week.

The HSE said the number of people who came to hospital with flu rose from an already high 312 last week to 538 this week. 

The corresponding rise in Covid cases was from 144 to 282.

There are currently 30 outbreaks of covid in hospitals and 24 in nursing homes, again an increase from last week.