Mayo public warned over Christmas respiratory virus fears

The Chief Medical Officer Professor Breda Smyth has warned that Ireland is "in the eye of a respiratory virus storm as we enter the Christmas period".

The Mayo native told RTÉ News up to 120 cases of Covid-19 were diagnosed in hospitals around the country overnight.

"And we have 19 cases in ICU and this increased significantly over the last seven days," she stated.

There are 15 Covid-19 cases in care today at Mayo University Hospital, including one in intensive care.

Prof. Smith said there has been a 75% increase in flu cases and a 35% increase in hospitalisations.

She said both Covid and flu are circulating at the same time this winter, giving rise to significant morbidity.

She said those in hospital with flu are predominantly over 65 years of age but there has been a 65% increase in hospitalised children aged five to 14.

Prof. Smyth described as "concerning" the increase in the number of people being admitted to hospital with Covid over the last seven days.

She also said there had been a fall-off in the uptake of boosters and she urged those who are eligible to come forward, adding that the booster is very effective against the Omicron variant.

"We do know that in our winter booster programme for Covid, it's the adapted vaccine that has part of the Wuhan strain but also the Omicron strain, so it's very effective against the Omicron virus," she said.

Prof Smyth added anti-viral treatments are recommended for those who are at highest risk of Covid, including those who are in high-risk groups for serious illness, are immune-compromised, are not fully vaccinated and are over 65 and those who are over 75 that are fully vaccinated.

And she appealed to people to stay at home if they have flu-like symptoms and not to attend Christmas parties or meet family if they have new Covid-like symptoms.