Hundreds in hospital with winter viruses as Ireland endures bitterly cold weather

Health Minister urges people to get their flu and Covid-19 vaccines

Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill thanked healthcare staff for their work over Christmas. Photo: Getty

Hundreds of patients are having to spend the first week of the new year in hospital suffering from winter viruses, including flu and Covid-19, as freezing weather grips the country.

Although the hope is that flu has peaked, new figures show 2,049 ­cases were reported last week as Ireland geared up to ring in 2026, with 512 people ­having to be hospitalised with the virus.