Urgent warning over ‘significant rise’ in Covid-19 cases in Ireland

AN urgent warning has been issued by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre over a “significant rise” in Covid-19 cases in Ireland in the past week.

Covid-19 cases are up 60 per cent across the country, according to the latest figures.

The HSPC said there was 1,049 confirmed cases in the last week compared to the 650 cases reported the week previously.

There were also 486 hospitalisations in the last week across Ireland – a 56 per cent increase from the previous week.

The HSPC has said the level of Covid-19 circulating in Ireland was “moderate to high”.

There has been three Covid-19 related deaths in the past week, but no intensive care admissions have been reported.

The latest figures have shown that ICU admissions have remained the same during this new outbreak.

The JN.1 Covid-19 variant is currently the most common variant reported across Ireland, but it is deemed less serious than the KP.3 subvariant that has seen an increase in reported cases lately.

The new variant is now accounting for one third of all hospital admissions across the country.

There has now been a reported 306 cases from the Covid-19 variant KP.3 – a subvariant of the deadly contagious Omicron strain.

From January to April 2024 There were also 130 Covid-19 related deaths, with the average age of those who passed away between 82 and 85 years old.

The new highly contagious strain can come with quite severe symptoms, especially for those at risk from Covid-19.

Here are six symptoms to look out for:

• High fever or chills
• A persistent cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• New loss of taste or smell
• Nausea or vommiting
• Diarrhea

ADVICE

The HSE has since issued advice to the public to keep testing for Covid-19 if they have any symptoms.

The HSE website reads: “It’s ok to leave the home after five days if you have a mild cough or changes to your sense of smell.

“These can last for weeks after the infection is gone.”

Those with Covid-19 must also avoid any contact with other people for ten days, especially those at a higher risk of the viral illness.

The HSE said: “Avoid meeting people who are at a very high risk for 10 days. This starts from the day you first had symptoms.

“This is because you may still be infectious for up to 10 days.”

If you have taken a Covid-19 test and it comes back positive, the HSE said people should stay at home for five days and avoid contact with those at risk for 10 days.

If your Covid-19 symptoms worsen, you should ring your GP, but don’t go to a GP or a pharmacy in person unless it is urgent.

If your test comes back negative, doctors are now advising you to still stay at home for two days until the symptoms are mostly or fully gone.