The HSE says emergency departments are 'exceptionally busy' with increases of up to 21 per cent in the number of patients attending.
The biggest rise is at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda – up 21 per cent – followed by the Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown and Cork University Hospital, both up 14 per cent.
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In a statement, the Health Service says there's been a 10 per cent increase in patients nationally, and there were 386 patients on trolleys this morning.
Those presenting with flu like illnesses have quadrupled, and people are being urged not to go to EDs if their needs are not urgent.
