Management in Portlaoise is pointing to the high level of respiratory infections in the community.
Patients are being advised to weigh their options before attending the emergency department at a Midlands hospital.
The Regional Hospital in Portlaoise is warning that they are experiencing increasing numbers of people requiring admission at this time.
It comes after Tullamore and Mullingar Hospital issued a similar warning this week in Offaly and Westmeath.
Portlaoise Hospital management is advising patients with non-urgent conditions to seek care through other parts of the health service, such as their local pharmacist, GP, out-of-hours GP service, or nearby injury unit.
Visiting restrictions are also in place due to the high numbers of respiratory infections in circulation.
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