The number of patients affected with flu continues to rise at Cork University Hospital (CUH).

A number of patients have also required admission to the Intensive Care Unit for treatment, the hospital revealed.

The HSE revealed last week that nine people have died due to flu-related illnesses as hospital admissions rose across Ireland.

Last week the HSE recorded 254 hospital admissions of patients suffering from the flu, up from 151 the week before.

More than 50 of these patients were admitted to CUH.

There have been 545 hospital admissions since the beginning of the flu season and the rate of admissions has been increasing since the last week of 2018.

A statement from CUH wished to remind the public that it has requested that no visitors attend the hospital during the current outbreak but an exception to this may be permitted in certain circumstances.

People with flu-like symptoms are advised to contact their GP by phone in the first instance and avoid presenting at the Emergency Department at CUH.

The hospital is asking people to think about all their care and treatment options and keep Emergency Department services for the patients who need them most.