Dr Colm Henry said this winter has seen “record” numbers presenting at emergency departments and thanked medics for coming together to battle the surge.
He also urged anyone who is feeling unwell to avoid visiting any healthcare setting, such as a hospital or nursing home, to prevent the spread of flu or other winter bugs(Image: Getty stock)
Flu infections are likely to peak during the week of Christmas, the HSE’s Chief Clinical Officer has said.Dr Colm Henry said this winter has seen “record” numbers presenting at emergency departments and thanked medics for coming together to battle the surge.He also urged anyone who is feeling unwell to avoid visiting any healthcare setting, such as a hospital or nursing home, to prevent the spread of flu or other winter bugs.Latest figures suggest that there will be between 800 and 1,100 people with flu in hospital on any given day at the height of the flu season. Dr Henry said there have been slight dips in hospital admissions along with emergency department presentations and said this suggested case numbers were likely to plateau – but made clear they could stay high for an extended period. Speaking to RTE, he explained: “This certainly gives the impression that cases are beginning to stabilise.”But he stressed that the HSE would take a “vigilant approach” to keep hospitals from overcrowding. When asked if the HSE was prepared for a surge this week, Dr Henry said: “We predicted from our modelling that we would reach a peak around Christmas week and the latest figures do suggest that we are reaching that peak.”It comes as a doctor working at Cork’s University Hospital said there has been a stream of patients presenting with flu-like symptoms.Dr Seán Underwood explained: “A lot of people are really unwell with fever, severe aches, cough, and breathlessness.”He added: “In vulnerable groups, it can indeed be life-threatening. 62 admissions this year to ICU and 17 deaths so far.”Before adding, there have been improved preparedness levels since last year. Dr Underwood said: “We’re very thankful for our GP colleagues, for instance, extending their opening hours. We’re very thankful for the public for increasing their levels of vaccination.”But he stressed that he was worried about how hospitals would cope after Christmas if there is a spike.
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