FLU ALERT: HSE urges people to get vaccinated as death toll rises to six

THE death toll from flu this winter has risen to six.

The flu is mainly affecting children and the over 65s.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has confirmed the virus is now circulating more intensely, but has not yet reached the point of widespread activity.

So far 29 patients across the country have been admitted to intensive care so far this winter. This has led to four outbreaks where it has spread from one person to another.

The flu is impacting on the trolley crisis which worsened this week.

A total of 500 patients were treated on trolleys across the country today, according to latest figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) trolley and ward watch.

In Kilkenny, 10 people were left waiting for a bed at St Luke’s General Hospital today, but this was a significant decrease from the 21 patients who were treated on trolleys at the hospital’s A&E and wards three days ago.

Last week the HSE warned a new virulent strain of the H1N1 swine flu virus is now circulating throughout the country.

Health authorities have urged people in vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and children to get vaccinated, and others to stay at home if they notice they have flu-life symptoms.

The HSE said children were not among the flu fatalities so far and they also do not include any pregnant women.