Covid figures released as hospitals cope with record number of A&E patients
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been notified of 5,649 PCR-confirmed cases of COVID-19.
In addition, on Wednesday 9 February, 5,387 people registered a positive antigen test through the HSE portal, whcih is a total of 11,036 cases.
As of 8am today, 595 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of whom 63 are in ICU.
The highest level of attendances at emergency departments on record has been seen in the past week, with 28,000 patients attending, according to the Health Service Executive.
HSE Chief Operations Officer Anne O'Connor said that many of those attending were older, sicker, more frail and stay in hospital longer.
Ms O'Connor said that the HSE hopes the peak is a temporary trend and a delayed winter surge.
The average daily trolley count for the past week is 333.
Ms O'Connor said that many older people may have stayed away from hospital during the Covid-19 peak when they should have attended.
While attendances at emergency departments are at record levels, the number being admitted has not risen notably.