Flu numbers on the rise in Cork and Kerry this week

The incidence of flu is on the rise in Cork and Kerry as the latest data shows a marked increase in both cases and presentations to emergency departments.

The latest figures, published by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) show there were 474 cases, including 111 requiring hospitalisation, in the South West region, up from 386 cases, including 70 hospitalisations, last week.

This compares with 263 cases, including 51 hospitalisations, recorded the previous week.

Conor Deasy, the president of the Irish Association for Emergency Medicine and clinical director of emergency and acute care at CUH, told The Echo: “Flu is still increasing. Current models predict it climbing into next week, which is Christmas week. This makes it very challenging for healthcare workers.”

He explained: “The flu is at very high levels in under 15-year-olds and over 80-year-olds. There has been a 13% increase in flu presentations to emergency departments this week compared to last week.

“For the majority of people, staying at home, warm, well hydrated and taking paracetamol for a few days is all that is needed,” he said, advising people to follow the HSE flu advice."

The pressure on emergency departments has seen hospitals pushed to the limit, with many patients being treated on trolleys due to insufficient bedspaces.

From Monday to Thursday this week, 238 people have been treated on trolleys in Cork hospitals, including 151 in Cork University Hospital, 52 in Mercy University Hospital and 35 in Bantry General Hospital.

On Thursday, the Cork hospital trolley count for the month of December so far surpassed the figure for the whole of November, with 1,038 people receiving care without a hospital bed this month to date, compared to 1,033 in the entirety of last month.

HSE South West manager Priscilla Lynch has appealed to people not to occupy hospital beds after they have been discharged, saying: “Patients will only be discharged from hospital to their home or to further care when it is medically appropriate to do so.

“Unfortunately, if there is a delay in supporting someone to move on from a hospital bed when the acute phase of their treatment is finished, it means that someone else could face a delay in accessing care.

“Our healthcare teams are working with patients and the public to make sure everyone gets the right care, in the right place, at the right time, delivering on our SláinteCare objectives. The public can help by engaging with all options for discharge when they are offered.” 

It comes as World Health Organization data identifies Ireland as one of six countries – along with Kyrgyzstan, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia and the United Kingdom – which have recorded an over-50% positivity rate for flu in those tested with symptoms.

There is flu advice available at https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/flu/.