Another six people have died from flu in the Republic, it was confirmed this afternoon.
The national Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), in its weekly flu report, said five of these latest deaths were from swine flu and one was from influenza B.
This brings the total number of deaths from flu in the State this winter to 12. Ten of the deaths have been from swine flu and two have been from influenza B. All but one of those who died had underlying health conditions.
One death was in a patient in the 0-4 year age group, seven patients were in the 15-64 year age group and four were aged 65 years and older.
However HPSC data confirms influenza activity has decreased over the past week for a second week in a row, which demonstrates infection rates have now peaked and are in decline.
Infection rates with influenza-like illness in the community stood at 110.4 cases per 100,000 of the population in the past week, down from an updated rate of 171.4 cases per 100,000 the week before.
To date this season, 749 people have been hospitalised with flu and 98 patients, including 11 children, have been admitted to intensive care. Overall 70 per cent of those admitted to intensive care had underlying medical conditions such as chronic respiratory disease, chronic heart disease, immunosuppression, pregnancy, metabolic disorders and morbid obesity.
The HSE says that over the past couple of weeks the proportion of all hospitalised cases that have been due to influenza B has risen and now stands at 17 per cent.
"The rise in influenza B highlights the importance of getting seasonal vaccine for those in the at risk groups. It's still not too late to get the vaccine from your GP. Although intensity is declining, influenza is still circulating in the community, and seasonal vaccination provides good protection against all types of flu," it said.
This year's seasonal flu vaccine provides protection against three flu strains including swine flu and influenza B.