The number of COVID-positive patients in Irish hospitals is “causing huge stress” for the healthcare system, the head of the HSE has warned.

There were 1,625 patients with COVID in hospital this morning – up 317 on this day last week.

Meanwhile, there were nearly 500 patients waiting for a bed in Irish hospitals this morning, according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO).

The organisation said there were 415 waiting in Emergency Departments and 82 waiting in other hospital wards.

In a tweet, HSE Chief Paul Reid urged people to follow basic public health advice.

“1,625 Covid positive patients in hospital now is causing huge stress on the healthcare system,” he said.

“We need to turn this tide again ASAP and repeat doing the basics. Please wear your mask appropriately, come forward for your booster or primary vaccine and isolate if [you have] symptoms.

1,625 Covid positive patients in hospital now is causing huge stress on the healthcare system. We need to turn this tide again asap & repeat doing the basics. Please wear your mask appropriately, come forward for your booster or primary vaccine & isolate if symptoms. @HSELive

— Paul Reid (@paulreiddublin) March 28, 2022

The INMO said University Hospital Limerick is the hardest hit this morning, with 66 patients waiting for a bed.

There are 40 patients waiting in Cork University Hospital, 32 waiting in University Hospital Galway and 32 at Sligo University Hospital.