The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) has urged all parents to keep their children off school if they become sick.
Speaking earlier today ahead of the return of schools following the Christmas break, Professor Brenda Smyth insisted that the rate of illness in schools and creches needs to be kept as low as possible.
"As schools and childcare facilities re-open after the Christmas break, I am urging parents to be vigilant for symptoms of respiratory viruses in children”, the CMO stated.
“If your child has any new-onset flu-like symptoms such as congestion, cough, runny nose or high temperature, parents should continue to be mindful of others and, if possible, keep their children at home from school or childcare facilities”, Professor Smyth added.
The CMO also advised parents to keep any sick children at home for at least 48 hours after their symptoms have either been fully or partially cleared.
This statement comes after it has been confirmed that there are currently 838 patients on trollies in Irish hospitals today. Health professionals are warning that 5,000 new beds are desperately needed to cope with the pressures of flu season.
In order to ease the pressures on our healthcare system, the HSE is advising the public to do what they can to stop the spread of colds, flus, Covid and other respiratory illnesses.
As always, people are being urged to stay at home if they become ill, and to continue to wash their hands regularly and wear face masks in crowded settings. For those who have not already done so, the public are also being encouraged to keep updated with both their Covid booster and annual flu vaccines.
Health executives have warned that this year’s flu season has yet to reach its peak, meaning that everyone is being urged to be as cautious as possible throughout the remaining winter months.
