They're trying to juggle covid patients with a rise in seasonal, non-covid care.
January continues to be among the busiest months of the year in local healthcare settings.
That's according to the Clinical Director of Mullingar Regional Hospital.
Dr. Murat Kirca says the omicron variant is increasing pressure on staff who are already dealing with an increase in seasonal, non-covid care such as severe bronchitis or trauma from falls.
He's reminding the public that an increase in covid-related hospitalisations will adversely effect other services:
The hospital chief admits it's tough for staff to maintain morale during the crisis.
170 staff were out of work at the Mullingar Hospital last week, due to being either a close contact or confirmed case of covid-19.
Dr. Kirca says the last couple of years have been relentless for healthcare workers:
Calls Grow For 24 Hour Garda Station In Edenderry After Arson Attack
Appeal Date Set For Jozef Puska Over Murder Of Ashling Murphy
Offaly Town Demands Meeting With Garda Commissioner And Justice Minister
Ireland’s First Kidney Pancreas Transplant Recipient Dies Aged 68
Quality Of Life To Drive Offaly’s Appeal For Foreign Investment - Anna Marie Delaney
Hundreds Of Mourners Gather For Tadgh Farrell's Funeral
Dancing With The Stars ‘A Once In A Lifetime Opportunity’ - Rose Of Tralee
Uisce Éireann To Submit €6b Water Project Plan
Pedestrian Killed In Midlands Crash
Gardai Arrest Four Men Over Laois Prison Assault
Maura Higgins Set For Traitors US
Man Taken To Hospital Following Alleged Westmeath Assault
Osteoarthritis Programme Launched At Midlands Hospital
Laois County Fire And Rescue Service Welcomes Two New Fire Appliances
Offaly TD Welcomes New IDA Ireland Investment
Gardai Conduct House Searches In Connection With Offaly Arson Attack
Funeral For Offaly Arson Attack Victim To Be Held Today
Emergency Services At Scene Of Offaly Crash
Tadgh Farrell’s Father Denied Compassionate Bail To Attend Son’s Funeral