30,000 new swine flu cases this week
Thursday, 5 November 2009 23:02
Four more people have died from swine flu in the Republic, with 30,000 new cases of the virus reported in the past week.
The three women and one man all had an underlying medical condition. Their deaths bring to 14 the number of deaths from the virus in the Republic of Ireland.
30,000 people have contracted swine flu in the past week and all visitors are being advised to stay away from hospitals to minimise the spread of the virus.
There are currently 165 people being treated in hospital, with 19 of those in intensive care.
The national swine flu vaccination programme got under way this week, with around 21,000 'at risk' people receiving the free vaccination so far.
The Irish Patients Association say glitches in the rollout of the vaccine have to be minimised.
Stephen McMahon of the IPA says it is vital that everyone is protected.
Elsewhere, two more people who tested positive for the virus in Northern Ireland have died.
A nine-year-old girl and a 65-year-old woman, both of whom had underlying health conditions, died in the past week.
Their deaths bring to ten the number of swine flu related deaths in Northern Ireland.
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