The number of people hospitalized with Covid-19 has “increased” in recent weeks, according to the HSE’s clinical director.
Dr Colm Henry said there were currently 446 people hospitalized with the virus as of this afternoon, almost 30% more than the figures from three weeks ago, reports RTE.
About 40% of those people have contracted the virus, and the rest are hospitalized with other conditions.
The number of people in intensive care units remains constant at 14.
However, Dr Henry told RTE’s This Week that the HSE does not see a new turn of concern and there is no increase in cases yet.
“It is quite expected at this time of the year, as the winter draws in, and people congregate more indoors, that we are going to see a rise in cases and in other winter associated viruses and infectious illness,” he stated, reported RTE.
According to RTE, Dr Henry added that the possibility of a “twindemic” of flu and covid-19 is possible but “by no means inevitable”.
When asked about today’s reports that there were no plans to offer a second Covid booster shot to the general population under the age of 50, Dr. Henry agreed with that approach.
“One of reasons underpinning our success in the vaccination programme in Ireland is that we have had strong independent advice from clinical experts from NIAC,” he said, reports RTE.
In this third withdrawal campaign, they advise us to combine it as much as possible with the flu vaccine and focus on the most vulnerable groups, people who are aging because we know they are at greater risk of contracting a serious illness, and those whose immune system does not provide them with the complete protection from a previous vaccination.
Dr. Henry said more than 70,000 to 80,000 people come each week for their booster shots and even their first shots, numbers not seen since January of this year.
When asked about wearing masks, Dr. Henry said that “depending on patterns that emerge in the coming months, it may become mandatory.”
However, he said the “strong advice” remains for now for the public to stay home if they have symptoms, stay up to date on their vaccinations and, while not required, wear a mask on public transport, in areas crowded or anywhere to use it where you feel uncomfortable.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.