Winter flu death toll hits 22, as cases fall
The death toll from winter flu has risen to 22, after confirmation that four more people have died of the illness.
However, the amount of flu circulating has dropped significantly among most age groups, except those aged 65 years or older.
Influenza B is the dominant form of the virus -- 73pc of all positive samples last week. The remaining cases were swine flu, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre report revealed yesterday.
The number of people hospitalised with flu fell to 29 last week, compared to 59 the previous week. But 21 people are still in intensive care with complications. The report said 18 of those who died had underlying illnesses.
- Eilish O'Regan Health Correspondent
Irish Independent
