XFG variant dominates as cases concentrate in older populations and urban counties
Approximately 1,500 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 in Ireland throughout October, with the Health Protection Surveillance Centre reporting continued viral activity despite no ICU admissions in the final week.
The last week of October saw 221 new cases, resulting in 98 hospitalizations. Encouragingly, no patients required intensive care treatment during this period, and no deaths were recorded in the week’s data.
However, the month recorded a total of 16 COVID-related deaths: 10 in the first week of October, and three each in the second and third weeks.
Dominant Variants and Demographics
The XFG variant currently accounts for the majority of infections, followed by the NB.1.8.1 variant. People over 65 remain the most vulnerable demographic, experiencing the highest infection and hospitalization rates.
Geographically, the highest infection rates were recorded in Dublin, Cork, Louth, Kildare, Kerry, Limerick, Galway, and Tipperary—a mix of urban centers and populous counties.
Public Health Context
The October figures demonstrate that COVID-19 remains an active public health concern in Ireland, particularly for older populations. While the absence of ICU admissions in the final week suggests current variants may produce less severe illness in most cases, the ongoing hospitalizations and deaths underscore continued vulnerability among high-risk groups.
Health authorities have not announced new restrictions but typically recommend vaccination boosters for eligible populations, particularly those over 65 and individuals with underlying health conditions, as the country enters winter months when respiratory infections traditionally increase.
The data reflects Ireland’s ongoing transition to managing COVID-19 as an endemic disease rather than an acute crisis, with surveillance systems continuing to monitor variant evolution and population impact.