The Chief Medical Officer Professor Breda Smyth has urged the public to stay well by being prepared for winter amid the current rise in COVID-19 infection in the community.
There were 405 confirmed COVID-19 cases in hospital this morning, which has increased by 23% from 329 cases last week on 28 September and by 74% from 233 cases on 14 September.
We have seen an average of 60 new COVID-19 hospitalisations per day observed in the last 7 days. Not all COVID-19 cases in hospitals have been admitted due to their infection, but every additional COVID-positive patient adds to the strain on our hospital system as we enter what is expected to be an extremely busy period.
As of 27 September, approximately 70% of cases hospitalised for COVID-19 were aged 65 years and older, and of these, more than 1 in 4 had not completed their primary COVID-19 vaccine course and approximately 2 in 5 had not yet received any booster vaccine.
The scientific data tells us that the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines wanes over time. It is important to keep up to date with your vaccine schedule and make sure to receive a booster dose as soon as you are eligible.
The HSE has begun to administer COVID-19 booster vaccines and flu vaccines. This is a great opportunity to top up the protection COVID-19 vaccines offer while also receiving protection from the flu virus.
Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are available from participating GPs and Pharmacies and can be given at the same time. If you have not yet received a primary dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, you can arrange to do so while also getting your flu vaccine.
If you have any symptoms of COVID-19, it is important that you self-isolate until 48 hours after symptoms have substantially or fully resolved.
Please, do not attend any social events, work, school or college if you have symptoms.