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THREE PEOPLE HAVE died and over 400 have been hospitalised with the flu so far this winter season.
Meanwhile, the number of flu cases almost doubled last week, increasing by 91% from 277 in week to 528 cases.
There were also 149 hospitalisations and two ICU admissions last week.
No deaths were recorded last week but for the winter season to date, three deaths have been reported, as well as eight ICU admissions.
The HSE has warned that there has also been an increase in flu outbreaks in health and care settings in the past week and that flu hospitalisations are mainly impacting older adults and young children.
As a result, the HSE is urging all those eligible to get their winter vaccines ahead of Christmas to protect themselves and others from the worst impacts of flu and COVID-19.
The HSE added that it expects flu cases to increase over the coming weeks.
Dr Colm Henry of the HSE noted that both the flu and COVID-19 can cause more serious illness in vulnerable groups and that getting vaccinated helps to protect people in these groups with whom we come in contact.
He added: “People should also be reassured that it is safe to receive both vaccines at the same time for free through participating GP practices and pharmacies.”
This year, the flu vaccine has been extended to more people, making it available for free to everyone aged 60 years and older.
Both flu and COVID-19 vaccines are also recommended for anyone who has a long-term health condition, pregnant women, and health and care workers.
The nasal flu vaccine is recommended for children aged 2-17 years old and is available through GPs and pharmacies.
Last winter over 4,000 people were hospitalised with flu, and around 7,000 people were hospitalised with COVID-19.
Elsewhere, Dr Éamonn O’Moore, Director of National Health Protection, National Health Protection Office noted that every winter, there is a rise in certain infections, including seasonal flu and winter vomiting virus (norovirus).
O’Moore said: “While for many, such illnesses are unpleasant but relatively mild, for some people, especially the very young or those who are older, and some with underlying medical conditions, these infections can be very serious.
“To protect ourselves, those vulnerable adults and children in our lives, and to support our health and care services, it is really important that we do everything we can to reduce the risk of spread of infection.”
He said this includes availing of the flu vaccine if eligible and staying away from work, care homes, hospitals and from very young or older people if you have flu-like symptoms or symptoms of vomiting or diarrhoea.
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This really shouldn’t happen in this day and age in a modern western country
It shouldn’t but it can if a driver disobeys a signal inadvertently or not.
Some cab signal systems will stop the train in a situation like this, but the driver may be able to override it to some degree.
There might be no cab signalling, the system might be down.
This section of line is privately owed. And has no proper advance warning system it is run by station masters making phone calls to other stations to see if the single line is clear ,a very antiquated way of running a railway in this modern era but devastating when mistakes are made ,as we all can see ,I would reserve blaming anyone till the investigation is complete,
I remember my dad telling my that in the case of a train crash, the middle and second last carriages were always the least likely to de-rail. I always choose the second last carriage. Look at the picture.
Strange this points to a big signalling failure or driver error.
The train network in Italy is superb usually, certainly safer than driving over there.
Or maybe one of the drivers had a stroke or seizure.
Good point Shawn but train’s like this would be fitted with a device called the Deadman pedal. A bell or buzzer with go off every so often and the driver with have to press pedal. If not the emergency brakes would kick in
Their banks are on for a collision Aswell..
Skydiving feels safer than driving in Italy Jimmy
Go to talk about banks somewhere else please. Thank you
Thanks Kaz.
It appears that telephone block signalling was used on this line, this is an antiquated system. See arnie reply above.
Extract from article:
Ferrotramviaria’s 81km network is electrified at 3kV dc and includes 40km of single-track line. Track-doubling is underway on the section where the collision occurred and the line is still equipped with telephone block signalling. Last December the company had announced plans to install the Italian SCMT automatic train protection system on the Ruvo – Bitonto section of the Bari – Barletta line.
Death toll is rising, sadly.
have your say