The HSE is seeing an increase in people with respiratory illnesses attending emergency departments.
This week, 538 people with flu and 282 with Covid attended emergency departments, an increase from 312 with flu and 144 with Covid last week.
The HSE has warned that 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.
There are currently 30 outbreaks of COVID in hospitals and 24 in nursing homes, again an increase from last week.
Hospitals and community services around the country have put a sustained effort into ensuring hospitals are positioned for the traditional post-Christmas demand.
But the rise in flu and COVID infection is very steep, and the health service is urging the public to attend the ED only for major health emergencies, and to use all other options in non-emergency situations.
People should consider using services such as your local pharmacy, and HSE.ie, before going to your GP or Emergency Department if you have respiratory symptoms.
