28% increase in Emergency Department visits for respiratory illnesses

Public health data shows rise last week

The number of people visiting the Emergency Department with respiratory illnesses on the Island increased last week.

Data released as part of Public Health's weekly surveillance report into seasonal respiratory illnesses shows 28 per cent more patients than the week before.

The majority of those were aged between 45 and 64.

It comes as public health issued a warning for people not to be afraid to turn on their heating, despite concerns over energy costs, to keep well and warm.

Temperatures on the Island have been close to zero in recent days. The Ronaldsway Met Office has issued a couple of weather warnings this weekend, first yellow and then amber, due to ice, frost and wintery showers.

You can find the latest public health data here.