Visitor restrictions have been introduced at a number of hospitals amid an increase in flu cases, with a mask mandate in place for visitors to University Hospital Kerry and Cork University Hospital.
A total of 1,017 people were recorded as having the flu in hospital on New Year's Eve, compared to 984 on Monday, 869 the previous day and 562 last Tuesday.
Head of the Health Service Executive Bernard Gloster confirmed that 62 of the 1,017 patients hospitalised with flu are being treated in ICU - 25 of whom are on ventilators.
He said this is a very high figure for those being treated for flu and showed the nasty end of the virus in which people can become seriously ill.
Those being treated in ICU are mostly older citizens and the very young who are being treated for RSV, which can also have a serious impact on babies and young children.
Mr Gloster said the high number of people hospitalised with flu is the predicted peak for this week, and while it may fall it is expected to rise again once children go back to school and people begin to circulate once more after the Christmas break.
He predicted the high numbers with flu, with many having to go to hospital, will continue right throughout the month of January.
Mr Gloster said hospitals are operating infection prevention control measures and people are being urged to help and co-operate, including with any visitor restrictions that may be in place.
"We know that can be difficult for families and loved ones, especially at this time of year, but we must protect our patients and prevent the spread of infections in hospitals and other healthcare settings," he said.
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Another peak possible as schools, childcare reopen
Interim Chief Medical Officer Professor Mary Horgan said that while the virus seemed to be plateauing, there is a chance of another peak when schools and childcare facilities reopen.
"It's a bit early to tell for certain because schools will be going back next week. When that happens, often you get flu circulating once children are back at school, so sometimes we see another peak, albeit not as high as the peak we anticipate seeing and is being seen at the moment between Christmas and New Year," she told RTÉ’s News at One.
"It’s hard to predict these things, but we do think there may be another further increase in the amount of flu once children are back in creches or back in school."
Ms Horgan advised people to stay at home if they are feeling unwell and to seek medical care.
People urged to follow visitor restrictions
In the seven days from 20-27 December 34,000 people turned up at hospital ED's across the country - up 6,500 on the same period last year, which is placing pressure on all hospital services.
The HSE is urging people not to visit a hospital if they have any symptoms of cold, flu, Covid-19, or any viral illness.
Visitors are also being advised to wear face masks and to clean their hands on entry to the hospital and when leaving the wards.
The University of Limerick Hospitals Group said there are visitor restrictions at all six hospitals across the midwest and said it is managing high attendances at its emergency departments, and significant admissions since last weekend.
It had seen a 200% increase in admissions of patients with flu in a week - 76 on Monday compared to 25 the week before.
The HSE said that the impact of respiratory illnesses, but in particular influenza, is having an impact right across all services including hospital emergency departments and inpatient, ambulance and GP services.
It said all hospitals are extremely busy.
There are visitor restrictions at the Midland Regional Hospitals in Tullamore and Portlaoise and at Regional Hospital Mullingar, as well as Naas General Hospital and Tipperary University Hospital.
All hospitals in the HSE South West regional area - University Hospital Kerry, Cork University Hospital, Mercy University Hospital, South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, Bantry General Hospital and Mallow General Hospital - have visitor restrictions in place.
UHK and CUH have both introduced mask mandates for visitors.
A total of 5,150 patients attended EDs across the country on Monday, with 1,200 people being admitted.
