Visiting has been restricted at two Irish hospitals due to concerns over an outbreak of flu.
St James’s Hospital in Dublin has suspended all visits and Cork’s Mercy University Hospital is operating with restricted visiting times.
St James’s emergency department remains open, but people with flu-like symptoms are asked to attend or phone their GP in the first instance.
Earlier this week, the hospital had previously asked for only one visitor at a time to attend, and no children.
In a statement on Friday, the hospital said visiting is suspended for the weekend, with friends and families of patients asked to stay away.
Influenza rates were reported to have risen from 15.5 per 100,000 to 29.0 per 100,000 population during the second week of January and are above threshold levels which means flu is actively circulating in the community.
There have been a number of confirmed influenza outbreaks, mainly in residential facilities for the elderly and disabled. Influenza A (H3) is the predominant virus in circulation.
Influenza is expected to increase over the coming weeks and circulate for at least the next six to eight weeks.
A vaccine is available free of charge from GPs for all people in at risk groups, and from pharmacists for everyone aged 65 years and over. An administration charge may apply to people who don’t hold medical cards or GP visit cards.
Anyone who gets flu should stay at home, rest, drink plenty of fluids and use over-the-counter remedies like paracetamol to ease symptoms.
Advice, tips, information and videos on getting over flu and other common illnesses are available at a new HSE website undertheweather.ie