The Health Service Executive has said the latest patient numbers being seen nationwide are “matching or exceeding our most pessimistic model”.
The HSE has defended its handling of the recent trolley crisis amid plenty of criticism being thrown their way.
However, it did warn that record-breaking trolley figures seen just one week ago might be recorded again with emergency measures in place for up to 10 weeks.
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These measures include additional ward rounds to increase discharges, transfers to smaller hospitals, the use of step-down facilities, and cancelling some planned surgeries.
Speaking on Thursday, HSE interim CEO, Stephen Mulvany, said patient numbers in hospitals and GP services are now “matching or exceeding” the most pessimistic models set out by officials.
"The system continues to be under very significant and at times unprecedented levels of pressure, though there has been some easing due to the measures taken by staff over the past week," he said.
The number of flu cases presenting to the emergency department continue to rise, and Mr. Mulvany warned: “We will continue to deal with high levels of flu and other viruses during February and likely into March.
”We may not be in the full escalation for 10 weeks but it could be as long as that before the virus is back to normal levels”.
Speaking about the figures that sent shock waves through the health system - and marked the highest number since 2006 - he said: “Can we absolutely be certain we won’t get to that level again? We can’t because we don’t know when the flu is going to peak.”
He went on to say: “I wouldn’t accept it was totally predictable, as we said it was an unprecedented level of flu season on top of two other circulating viruses, RSV and Covid, so we wouldn’t accept that”.
Meanwhile, the latest figures show that cases of RSV, mainly among young children, are also continuing to rise but the number of children who have had to be hospitalised dropped by 5% last week.
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