The number of hospital patients with Covid-19 has jumped by 23% in the last week, the Chief Medical Officer, Prof Breda Smyth, has said.

She has urged people to ensure their Covid vaccines are up to date and to get the flu vaccine ahead of “what is expected to be an extremely busy period”.

A total of 405 confirmed cases of Covid-19 were recorded in hospitals on October 5 compared to 329 cases the week before.

“We have seen an average of 60 new Covid-19 hospitalisations per day observed in the last seven days. Not all Covid-19 cases in hospital have been admitted due to their infection, but every additional Covid-positive patient adds to the strain on our hospital system as we enter what is expected to be an extremely busy period,” commented Prof Smyth.

She noted that as of September 27, around 70% of cases hospitalised for Covid were aged 65 and older and of these, at least one-quarter had not completed their primary Covid vaccine course, while around 40% had not yet received any booster dose.

Prof Smyth reiterated that the effectiveness of Covid vaccines wanes over time and so it is key that people keep up to date with their vaccine schedule.

She also reminded people to get the flu vaccine, noting that both Covid and flu vaccines can be given at the same time.