\u201cSignificant pressures\u201d on healthcare services is expected in coming weeks amid an early start to the flu season, the Cabinet has been told.<\/p>\n
Ministers were briefed that the influenza season is two to three weeks earlier than usual and HSE<\/a> modelling projects that 700-1,500 hospital beds will be occupied each day by flu patients in coming weeks. <\/p>\n Almost 2,000 new influenza cases were reported in the week ending November 29th, double the previous week. <\/p>\n [\u00a0Flu: What are the symptoms and when should I stay out of the office?Opens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n The Cabinet memo on the epidemiological situation included information on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and Covid-19<\/a> levels, as well as immunisation uptake rates and the HSE\u2019s urgent and emergency care operational plan.<\/p>\n RSV activity is said to be increasing but remains at low levels overall and at moderate levels among one to four-year-olds. Covid-19 activity is stable and at low levels.<\/p>\n However, with flu cases set to put a strain on healthcare services, Ministers were told that co-circulation of RSV and Covid-19 will compound pressures.<\/p>\n