Local hospital 'very busy'

The Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore is asking people to only attend if absolutely essential.

In a statement this morning, a hospital spokesperson said it was experiencing a very busy period with a significantly increased number of people requiring admission and an increasing number of Covid-19 presentations.

A spokesperson reminded members of the public to consider their care options before presenting to the Emergency Department (ED).

"We advise that the public only attend our emergency services if absolutely essential. If you are unwell, please go to your GP or pharmacy in the first instance. It is essential that we protect our emergency services for those who require emergency care," the statement read.

It advised people not to delay in seeking medical attention if you suspect you are having a heart attack or stroke, please dial 999 or 112 in an emergency.

It also asked people not to attend ED seeking a PCR test as testing is only possible following a clinical assessment and a decision to admit a patient for treatment to the ward.