The European Union is meeting today in Brussels to decide what measures are needed across all member states to cope with the current Covid-19 situation.
Top of the conversation list will reportedly be the potential implications for travel from China as Covid cases begin to soar there once again.
On Tuesday, the European Commission said that the "majority" of the 27 member countries have said that passengers coming from China should be tested for the virus before departure to curb another strong wave of illness spreading.
READ MORE: Hospital overcrowding 'likely to get worse' according to Stephen Donnelly
Chinese officials recently dropped the strict restrictions in place and since then hospitals are coming under pressure.
International health experts have said they expect at least one million deaths in China this year as a result of Covid-19.
This comes after Health officials in the UK issued alarming advice to the public amid a surge in cases of Strep A, Covid and the flu.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has told people to stay home if they are ill, keep sick children away from school and consider wearing masks in public.
Professor Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Adviser at UKHSA, said people who become unwell should avoid going out unless it's urgent.
She said mask-wearing is advisable and has called on parents to do whatever possible to prevent flu, Covid, and Strep A spreading through schools, reports The Mirror.
Prof Hopkins said: "It’s important to minimise the spread of infection in schools and other education and childcare settings as much as possible.
"If your child is unwell and has a fever, they should stay home from school or nursery until they feel better and the fever has resolved”.
She said: "Adults should also try to stay home when unwell and if you do have to go out, wear a face covering. When unwell don’t visit healthcare settings or visit vulnerable people unless urgent.
"Remember that flu vaccination is still available for all eligible groups and is the best protection against the virus.
"We have seen good uptake in older age groups but vaccination among young children remains low. Flu can be very unpleasant and in some cases can lead to more serious illness”.
Royal College of Emergency Medicine chief Dr. Adrian Boyle said hospitals have been hit with rocketing demand driven by flu, Covid, and Strep A.
He said: “We think between 300 to 500 people are dying as a consequence of delays and problems with urgent and emergency care each week. We need to get a grip of this.
"I’d be amazed if December waiting time figures [yet to be released] are not the worst we’ve seen.
"We need to increase our capacity, make sure there are alternative ways so people aren’t all just funneled into the ambulance service and emergency department”.
Dr. Tim Cooksley, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, told Sky News: "I know that people watching this will say 'well every winter you have doctors on that say that this winter is terrible, that it's normal winter pressures'.
"But there is a complete acceptance from all colleagues now that this is different from all previous winters — and we need urgent action now”.
He continued: "This situation is much worse than we experienced under the Covid pandemic at its peak”.
The Irish public was advised before the Christmas break to wear masks on public transport and to isolate themselves if they become ill.
However, there has been no talk of enforcing any strict measures at this point, despite the intense pressure being felt in hospitals nationwide.
Hundreds of patients are without hospital beds as one hospital consultant said 5,000 more beds are needed in the acute hospital system to cope with the demand.
A record 931 admitted patients were waiting for a hospital bed across the country yesterday, according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has described the situation as ‘unacceptable’ and will likely touch on the topic at his first Cabinet meeting this year.
READ NEXT:
Brave dog attack victim Alejandro Mizsan gives a thumbs up from his Dublin hospital bed
Hospital overcrowding 'likely to get worse', Stephen Donnelly warns
Ireland weather: Expert gives snow update as 'very unsettled' low pressure pushes in off Atlantic
Community plunged into grief following death of young Galway farmer in tragic accident
Get breaking news to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter
