Children’s hospitals under pressure as respiratory cases rise 36pc in a week

Almost 300 people were hospitalised last week with a common respiratory bug as children’s hospitals continue to bear the brunt of an early winter wave of infection.

The number of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases increased by 36 per cent last week compared with the previous week, according to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC).

Current levels of RSV infection appear to be tracking the very high levels of infection seen last winter, with 617 cases recorded last Friday, up from 454 the previous week.

The vast majority – 507 – are in children aged up to 14, the HPSC reported. Cases among over 65-year-olds have also ticked up.

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Some 284 people were hospitalised with the virus, as bad as at any point last winter, and up from 240 the previous week.

Earlier this week, the Health Service Executive expressed concern that low uptake of vaccines could be contributing to increased pressure on hospitals. The inclusion of two recently-developed vaccines for RSV in the State’s immunisation programme is under consideration.

Covid-19 infections appeared to be stable, though surveillance is limited, with 486 cases last week, down from 531 the previous week. Some 249 hospital patients tested positive for Covid-19, down from 287.

Flu infections remain low and stable, with 64 cases last week, compared with 66 the previous week, according to the HPSC. Seventeen patients were hospitalised with flu.

Uptake of the flu vaccine so far this winter is 59 per cent among those aged 70 and over, 18 per cent in 50-69 year-olds and just 9.5 per cent in the other eligible group, children aged two to 12.

Just 11.5 per cent of healthcare staff have availed of a Covid-19 booster, while 24.3 per cent have received the flu vaccine, according to new figures.