MORE than 800 cases of flu have been recorded in Limerick and the Mid West since the beginning of December, 115 of those in the first two days of this week.
The figures have gone up from just 80 on December 8, and many GPs are extending their surgery hours to deal with the surge.
And while the numbers being hospitalised with the virus are dropping, health sources cannot say if this is due to the flu having peaked, or if people are having difficulty accessing services because of the weather conditions.
Public Health HSE Mid West is appealing to people to stay at home if they are feeling unwell, and particularly to observe visiting restrictions in hospitals and healthcare settings.
Anyone not yet vaccinated is reminded that it’s not too late to get the jab to protect against catching the virus or to guard against severity of symptoms.
The HSE’s Chief Clinical Officer, Dr Colm Henry, said there are currently 758 people in hospital with flu nationally, but the number of cases in the community are still at a very high level at more than 3,000.
While the flu had been circulating in the community since September, the first major spike did not occur until mid-December, the HSE said, explaining that increased social activity over the Christmas period has contributed to a further surge in flu cases.
“Flu is likely to continue circulating at high levels in the community for a number of weeks. To prevent further spread, we are appealing to people to stay at home if they are feeling unwell,” a HSE spokesman said.
“We urge people across the region to assist in curtailing the spread of flu by staying at home if you have symptoms. People should adhere to simple coughing and sneezing etiquette, such as using a tissue or coughing/sneezing into your elbow, and not your hands. Handwashing, with warm water and soap, is effective at preventing possible spread of infection.”
The emergency department at University Hospital Limerick is currently particularly busy due to increased levels of flu hospitalisations and a surge on account of the snow and icy weather conditions this past week, with 105 admitted patients on trolleys awaiting a hospital bed this Wednesday.
