Significant rise in Covid-19 cases in Ireland, HPSC confirms

There has been a significant rise in the number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the past week, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) confirmed.

The latest figures, which accounted for 1,049 confirmed cases in the week to last Saturday are up 60pc compared to the previous weeks which accounted for 650 cases.

486 hospitalisations have been reported in the last week, which makes for a 56pc increase as opposed to the previous week. While three Covid-19 related deaths have been reported in the past week, no intensive care admissions have been linked to the virus.

According to the HPSC, the rate of Covid-19 level circulation is “moderate to high” with doctors saying there is no evidence that the predominant variants, JN.1 and KP.3, are linked to more severe diseases.

The centre’s data has also revealed that the most impacted age group is those aged 65-years-old and above, with county cases being the highest in Co Cork where nearly 300 cases were reported last week.

Fourteen more outbreaks were reported this week, 62 as opposed to 48 last week. The increase of circulation of the Covid-19 virus has impacted vulnerable locations such as healthcare settings, hospitals, and nursing homes.

The current HSE vaccination campaign underway began in April 2022 with its primary targets being individuals aged 80 years and older, those living in long term care facilities for older adults, those aged 5 years and older with immunocompromised associated with a suboptimal response to vaccination. Those aged 70 to 79 were not named a primary target group but can request the vaccine.

Uptake among residential care facility residents was highest in Co. Dublin, accounting for 31.6pc of booster courses completed between March 2024 and last Sunday.

Uptake among the immunocompromised was highest in Co. Dublin at 32.9pc and in Co. Cork at 18pc of booster courses completed between March 2024 and last Sunday.

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