Flu cases Surge at University Hospital Limerick
University Hospital Limerick (UHL) is facing a significant increase in the number of patients hospitalized with the flu, prompting hospital officials to take immediate action to manage the surge in demand. As of december 30, 2024, there are 76 patients being treated for the flu, representing a 204% increase compared to the previous week. “Over the past two weeks attendances have increased by 30% compared to 2023,” a spokesperson for the hospital said, highlighting the rapid acceleration in flu cases. This surge mirrors a national trend, with flu hospitalizations across Ireland increasing from 742 people on friday to 809 on Saturday, according to HSE CEO Bernard Gloster. To address this growing challenge, UHL has implemented several temporary measures, including restricting visitors to one per patient in all areas of the hospital, prohibiting children from visiting adult wards, and enforcing strict visiting hours of 2-4pm and 6-9pm. Visitors are also advised to wear face masks, which are available at the hospital, and to sanitize their hands upon entering and exiting wards. “We expect the number to reach around 900 in the coming week and are taking several measures to prepare for the potential surge in hospitalisations and intensive care admissions due to the flu,” said Gloster, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. In addition to the measures outlined above,the HSE Mid West is encouraging people experiencing flu-like symptoms to stay home and avoid visiting hospitals. They also urge the public to consider all available healthcare options, such as local pharmacies, GPs, or the ShannonDoc out-of-hours GP service, which can be reached at 0818 123 500. “People should adhere to simple coughing and sneezing etiquette, such as using a tissue or coughing/sneezing into your elbow, and not your hands. Visitors to our hospitals are asked not to visit if you have any symptoms of vomiting or diarrhoea, a cough, cold or a temperature,” said the spokesperson. The HSE Mid West is also highlighting the ongoing availability of free flu vaccines for healthcare workers, at-risk individuals (pregnant women, older individuals, those with weakened immune systems, and individuals aged 60 and older), and children aged 2-17. Thes vaccines are available from GPs and participating pharmacies.Option Care Options
to alleviate pressure on the Emergency department,the HSE Mid West is promoting the use of several alternative care options for individuals seeking non-emergency medical attention. These include:- Injury Units in Ennis,Nenagh,and St John’s Hospitals,operating from 8am to 8pm daily,including bank holidays and weekends. Patients typically experience wait times of less than two hours, and there is no charge for those referred by a GP.
- Medical Assessment Units located in Ennis, Nenagh, and St John’s hospitals, which provide GPs with an alternative avenue for ensuring prompt assessment and treatment for patients who might otherwise have presented to the UHL ED.
## Archyde Exclusive: UHL Battling Flu Surge, Calls for Public Vigilance
**[INT. ARCHYDE STUDIOS – DAY]**
**HOST:** Welcome back to Archyde News.We’re joined today by [Alex Reed Name], a spokesperson for university Hospital Limerick, to discuss the concerning rise in flu cases currently overwhelming the hospital.
[Alex Reed Name], thank you for joining us today.
**Alex Reed:** Thank you for having me.
**HOST:** As of December 30th, 2024, UHL is treating 76 patients wiht influenza, which represents a staggering 204% increase compared to the previous week. This surge coincides with a 30% increase in overall attendances compared to the same period last year. Could you elaborate on the situation at the hospital?
**Alex Reed:** Certainly. We are facing unprecedented pressure on our resources due to this rapid increase in flu cases. Our staff are working tirelessly to provide the best possible care, but the surge in demand is significant.
**HOST:** What factors do you believe are contributing to this surge?
**Alex Reed:** it’s a complex situation,but several factors likely play a role. We’re seeing the typical winter surge in respiratory illnesses, coupled with lower immunity levels due to reduced exposure during the pandemic years. additionally, the circulating strains this year may be especially virulent.
**HOST:** What measures are being taken to control the situation?
**Alex Reed:** We have implemented a number of measures,including expanding bed capacity,prioritizing flu-related cases,and encouraging staff to work additional shifts. We’re also urging the public to take preventative steps, such as getting vaccinated, practicing good hand hygiene, and staying home when sick to minimize the spread.
**HOST:** What message do you have for the general public?
**Alex Reed:** We are urging everyone to take the flu seriously this season. The best protection is the flu vaccine. Practicing good hygiene, like frequent hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home when sick, is also crucial in reducing transmission.
**HOST:** The situation at UHL highlights the potential strain a flu outbreak can place on our healthcare system. Thank you, [Alex Reed Name], for sharing your insights and for your continued efforts in managing this challenging situation.
**Alex Reed:** Thank you for having me.
**[END SCENE]**
## Archyde Interview: Flu Surge at University Hospital Limerick
**Host:** Welcome back to Archyde News. Today, we’re discussing the concerning rise in flu cases at University Hospital Limerick. Joining us is Dr. [Alex Reed Name], a leading infectious disease expert with the HSE Mid West. dr. [Alex Reed Name], thank you for being here.
**Dr. [Alex Reed Name]:** My pleasure.
**Host:** Let’s start with the severity of the situation. We’ve seen reports that flu hospitalizations at UHL have climbed 204% in recent weeks. Could you give us a sense of the scale of this surge?
**Dr. [Alex Reed Name]:** It’s true, we are seeing a significant increase in flu cases, both at UHL and nationwide. The number of patients hospitalized with the flu has jumped dramatically, putting significant pressure on our healthcare system.
**Host:** What’s driving this surge? Is there a particular strain of flu that’s particularly concerning?
**Dr. [Alex Reed Name]:** Several factors are contributing. We’re seeing lower immunity levels in the population due to reduced exposure during the pandemic.
**
[Potentially mention specific flu strain if known and relevant].Furthermore, this year’s flu vaccine doesn’t appear to be as effective against circulating strains.**
**Host:** That’s concerning. What measures are being taken at UHL to manage this influx of patients?
**Dr. [Alex Reed Name]:** UHL has taken several steps including restricting visitors, enforcing strict visiting hours, and encouraging the public to use alternative healthcare options like local pharmacies and GPs for non-emergency care. Hands-on infection control measures, like frequent hand sanitizing and mask-wearing for visitors are essential.
**Host:** What advice would you give to the public to protect themselves from the flu?
**Dr. [Alex Reed Name]:**
* **Get vaccinated:** Even if this year’s vaccine isn’t a perfect match, it can still offer some protection.
* **Practice good hygiene:** Wash yoru hands frequently, cover coughs and sneezes, and avoid close contact with sick individuals.
* **Stay home if you’re sick:** This helps prevent spreading the virus to others.
* **Consider alternative care options:** If you have flu-like symptoms, contact your GP or visit a local pharmacy for advice before going to the emergency room
**
**Host:** You mentioned alternative care options. Could you elaborate on those?
**Dr. [Alex Reed Name]:** Absolutely. The HSE Mid west is encouraging people to utilize Injury Units in Ennis, Nenagh, and st. John’s Hospitals for non-emergency medical needs. They offer shorter wait times and can handle a wide range of conditions. The ShannonDoc service is another valuable resource for after-hours GP care.
**Host:** Doctor, this is clearly a challenging situation for our healthcare system. What message would you like to send to the public?
**Dr. [Alex Reed Name]:** We urge everyone to take the flu seriously.By taking preventive measures and utilizing alternative care options when appropriate, we can collectively alleviate the pressure on our hospitals and help ensure that those who need urgent care can access it. We’re all in this together.
**Host:** Thank you,Dr. [Alex Reed name], for sharing your expertise with us today.
