The surge in winter virus infections is expected to bring the highest pressure that's ever been seen on the State's health service in the coming weeks.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Health Minister Stephen Donnelly will discuss the winter pressures on the health service with health officials today.
The HSE has set up a National Crisis Management Team, with the Government to meet over Christmas to consider re-introducing masks on public transport.
The HSE is warning that hospitalisations for Covid-19 and flu could reach over a thousand each this Christmas.
656 people were in hospital yesterday with Covid-19, and over 900 are expected in hospitals with the flu in the first week of January.
This winter, we are seeing more babies and toddlers with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Remember to protect young children from viruses like RSV or flu.
Wash hands, cover coughs or sneezes and keep unwell children at home.
Find out more: https://t.co/O6aX7KQnnr #HSEMyChild pic.twitter.com/d7BCPXVAV9— HSE Ireland (@HSELive) December 22, 2022
