Increase in flu and Covid expected in coming weeks

Hospitals in the South/South West Hospital Group (SSWHG) are currently seeing an increase in people with respiratory illnesses attending Emergency Departments (EDs). While our system is responding well, this increasing pressure requires all to play their part in using the right options for care.

Increasing community infection rates will lead to increased risk of outbreaks in hospitals, nursing homes and residential care facilities, potentially affecting the most vulnerable people.

Acute hospitals in the South/South West Hospital Group are as prepared as they can be to deal with the expected rise in attendances and admissions over the coming period.

Hospitals and community services around the region have put a sustained effort into ensuring that they are positioned for the traditional post-Christmas demand. However the rise in flu and COVID infection is very steep, therefore the advice is that members of the public should present at hospital EDs only for major health emergencies and to use all other options in non-emergency situations.

Options for health care over the Bank Holiday include:

· Your local pharmacist: https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/2/pharmacy/

· Your local GP (everyone is reminded to check their routine prescriptions ahead of the bank holiday weekend)

· South Doc, the GP Out of Hours Service.

· Injury Units in Cork city, Bantry and Mallow. See https://www2.hse.ie/services/injury-units/

· Emergency Departments are open 24/7 and all emergency and time-critical care for the sickest patients will be prioritised.

It is also still not too late to get vaccinated: people who have not done so should get vaccinated at their GP or pharmacy. If you are unwell you should stay home until 48 hours after your major symptoms have resolved; avoid visiting people who are more vulnerable if you are unwell and especially avoid visiting hospitals or nursing homes. SSWHG and CKCH are also reminding people to practice good infection control including washing hands regularly and covering nose and mouth if you have coughs and sneezes.

Dr Ger O’Callaghan acting CEO South South West Hospital Group said: “Rates of Covid and flu are rising now and over the next few weeks, which will put significant pressure on hospitals and Residential Care Facilities in the short term. Our Emergency Departments are expected to encounter significant pressures as a result and we know from experience that a delayed peak in flu season such as we are seeing now, will inevitably lead to further pressures throughout the healthcare system with heightened risk of outbreaks in all facilities and delays in discharging patients to nursing homes or step down facilities if they have flu or Covid.

“This increase in viruses circulating obliges anyone with respiratory symptoms to avoid visiting hospitals and nursing homes if we have respiratory symptoms. Every healthcare setting is assessing the risks locally and monitoring their own local risks, and this may lead them to take additional measures in certain settings, such as the wearing of masks if deemed necessary. Such measures will help protect those who may be more vulnerable to the effects of these infections and avoid impact on services at a very busy time of year. There is no room for complacency and I urge people to follow public health advice - stay at home if you have symptoms and get vaccinated - before we reach the peak of flu season in the very near future.

Vaccination remains the best way to reduce the incidence or these respiratory illnesses. The HSE is urging every eligible person to get vaccinated against flu and Covid as soon as possible. People with long-term health conditions, healthcare workers (HCWs) and children aged 2-17 can avail of free vaccination. See HSE.ie for more information on COVID and flu vaccination and to find where to get your vaccines.

Tess O’Donovan, Chief Officer of Cork Kerry Community Healthcare said: “We want to protect the most vulnerable from Covid-19, influenza and respiratory infections. Our hospitals are under pressure with a significant rise in the number of attendances at local Emergency Departments, however they are coping. In the community we want to protect those most vulnerable from respiratory infections in our nursing homes and residential care facilities. It’s never too late to avail of a Covid-19 and flu vaccination while you can from your GP or local pharmacy. Vaccination remains our best way to reduce rates of infection. If you are unwell please try to consider the alternative options such as your local injury unit or contact South doc on 0818 355 999.”