Hospital emergency departments are dealing with a significant surge in flu and COVID cases, the HSE’s Chief Clinical Officer has warned.

Dr Colm Henry is urging anyone who suffers a slip or a fall to attend an injury unit instead of the hospital to free up space.

It comes as over 400 patients were on trolleys across the country this morning waiting for a hospital bed.

On The Pat Kenny Show today, Dr Colm Henry said this is down to illnesses spreading more quickly at this time of year.

“We’re seeing a significant surge in COVID-19 and flu cases,” he said.

“Flu cases are up 92% in terms of attendance at emergency departments last week while COVID is up 77%.

"What we have seen in comparison to last year is a bit of a lag as last year's peak in cases had come a couple of weeks earlier.

“We’re now expecting flu cases to peak in the next week or two but even after the peak there will be an ongoing number of high cases.”

HSE Chief Clinical Officer, Dr Colm Henry. Photograph: Leah Farrell / Photocall Ireland

Meanwhile, Dr Henry said a highly transmissible COVID variant has now cemented itself as the “new kid on the block”.

“It’s not more dangerous than others but it is more transmissible,” he said.

“This one has been able to displace the other variants because of how transmissible it is and how quick it is to catch.

"It’s rippling through countries in Europe and the United States right now – we expect cases to remain high from now through to spring.”

Latest vaccines

Dr Henry said it's not too late to get the latest flu vaccine or a COVID booster.

“They seem to be effective and certainly can prevent serious illness,” he said.

“We would prefer for people to take it up as early as possible but it’s still not too late and we would encourage anyone eligible to come along.

“If enough people get infected, even if it’s not as serious as earlier variants, somebody somewhere who is vulnerable will get sick.”

A person is administered the COVID vaccine. Image: ANP / Alamy Stock Photo

The CCO said an RSV vaccine could also be on the way soon.

“There is one in the making and it’s going through a health technology assessment,” said Dr Henry.

“Depending on the outcome of that - which is looking at the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the vaccine - if there’s a positive outcome, there is every chance we could have it later this year.

“The RSV vaccine may have a different target population [than others], given that those who are most vulnerable of becoming sick are below five years of age.”

Emergencies only

Dr Colm Henry said it's important to remind people that Emergency Departments (ED) are for “emergency care only” and those with injuries can go to designated units.

“We have 13 local injury units across the country and they are well placed to treat people,” he said.

“They’re open from 8am to 8pm seven days a week and can deal with fractures from the knees down to the ankles and from shoulders down to the fingers.

“They don’t deal with serious brain injuries, abdominal pain, or chest pain, but they deal with wounds and all other sorts of minor injuries like that.”

Main image: Woman blowing her nose into paper handkerchief on the bus on a cold winter day. Image: Igor Stevanovic / Alamy