The HSE is warning patients to stay away from emergency departments if possible, as a number around the country are under "significant" pressure this week.
Yesterday, 483 patients were left waiting on trolleys, with a high number of covid-19 and flu cases attending at EDs.
Patients are asked to assess all other care options before attending, including using a local GP or injury unit for non-urgent medical needs.
The HSE's Chief Operations Officer, Damien McCallion, says they are putting plans in place to ensure everyone can receive the care they need:
'You do have a number of hospitals this weeks that are facing delays and are under pressure, those particular hospitals are Tallaght, Limerick, Galway Cork and Letterkenny and we're implementing all of our surge plans which are the plans essentially put in place for when hospitals come under pressure during this peak period so everything that can be done is being done in those areas but we are under some pressure in those sights this week.'
