Virus cases rise in Ireland, 3,287 flu cases, 17 people have died from influenza so far, 62 are in ICU

The virus continues to put pressure on the health system in Ireland, with 17 people having died from the flu so far this winter and 62 remaining in ICU, the infectious disease monitoring agency said. The Health Service Executive (HSE) said the virus was expected to peak around Christmas. It warned that the current strain was highly contagious and could cause serious illness.

There were 3,287 flu cases reported in the week ending December 13, up from 2,943 the previous week. The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) says virus activity is increasing across all indicators. It remains "at high levels overall" among those under 15, but the outlook for the impact on hospital systems has improved in recent days. Health chiefs had predicted up to 1,500 people would be admitted to hospital as the flu season worsens, but that has now fallen to 1,100. Since the start of the flu season in late September, 62 flu patients have been admitted to intensive care units, and 17 patients have died from the virus.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases continue to rise, with 435 cases reported last week. The number of people admitted to hospital has also risen by 34 per cent to 161. The HSE said the number of RSV hospital beds has been increasing in recent weeks, although the number is low. There have been 19 ICU admissions and three deaths reported so far this season.

Covid is still present but appears to be declining, and the disease surveillance team says it is stable. However, the spread of the virus is increasing, from 80 last year to 62 last week. Of the spread last week, 29 were in hospitals, 32 in nursing homes, 14 in residential settings, four in community hospitals/long-stay units and one in another health service.

The HPSC warned that norovirus, a winter vomiting disease, is “currently circulating at high levels in the community and is likely to continue to do so during the festive season.” It reported 56 cases of the virus last week, an increase of about 65 percent from the previous week’s 34 cases.

“Outbreaks of norovirus and flu in hospitals and nursing homes can cause serious disruption and increase the risk to patients and staff,” the HSE said. The HSE is therefore urging the public to stay home if they are unwell, get vaccinated and practice good cough etiquette. This will help reduce the spread of these diseases. Speaking earlier this week, the HSE’s chief executive, Bernard Gloster, said he expected “serious pressures in the near term” but said the system was coping well with the increasing demand and attendances in hospital emergency departments.