Flu cases surge by almost 50% in South West as 70 people need hospitalisation

Flu cases have increased by 46% and hospitalisations by 37% in Cork and Kerry in the last week, amid warnings that these figures are putting pressure on hospitals.

In the past week — week 49 of the year — there were 386 cases of flu in the South West, covering Cork and Kerry, including 70 requiring hospitalisations.

This is up 46% from the previous week with 263 cases, while hospitalisations increased 37% from 51 in week 48.

Overall there has been 1,027 incidences of influenza in the last nine weeks and 167 hospitalisations as a result.

At the end of last week, visitor restrictions were put in place across Cork and Kerry Hospitals as a result of increased pressure from flu cases.

HSE South West’s regional director of public health, Dr Anne Sheahan, said at the time: “We are introducing this visitor restrictions in light of the increasing cases of flu circulating.

“Unfortunately, flu rates in the community continue to increase and we are taking these measures within our hospitals to keep patients safe,” Dr Sheahan said.

“We continue to see a rapid increase in the number of cases with patients with influenza, and in the number of patients needing to be hospitalised.

“This presents a risk to those who are susceptible to more severe disease including those aged over 60; those with underlying medical conditions, pregnant women and those who are immunocompromised.

“Our strong advice to those groups is to get vaccinated now and get the protection they need.”

On Friday, there were 64 people on trolleys in Cork University Hospital, as well as a further seven in the Mercy, ten in Bantry and nine in Kerry hospital.