Covid cases rise in Laois as HSE advises to 'protect those most vulnerable'

Ireland and Laois are continuing to see a spike in Covid cases this summer, with 21 recorded cases in Laois in the past week.

The number only represents the few cases that get tested, as the HSE now advises people that a test is generally not required.

Laois has more cases than 10 other counties. They including in the Midlands: Offaly at 15 cases, Carlow at 16, Meath with 20 and Wicklow with 11 cases.

1,108 cases were recorded last week in Ireland, according to figures from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre.

All of them were in hospitals, nursing homes, residential institutions, longstay units or healthcare units.

One third of those cases were hospitalised, 387 patients. One was placed in intensive care.

The figure has not been as high since December 2023, when it hit a peak of 1,193 cases.

However is is less than 1% of the number of cases at the very peak of the pandemic, when over 129,000 new cases were recorded in a week in January 2022.

The current advice from the HSE is that "you do not need a COVID-19 test unless a GP or healthcare worker advises you to have one.  Phone your GP if you have symptoms of COVID-19 and you feel very unwell or have an underlying condition that puts you at higher risk of severe disease. Your GP may ask you to have a COVID-19 test."

The HSE has reminded the public that the disease is still circulating.

"Indicators of COVID-19 circulation are continuing to increase. This latest wave is a reminder that COVID-19 continues to circulate throughout the year and still causes a substantial burden on the population and our health services when circulation is high.

"Ongoing vigilance for symptoms of COVID-19 and taking steps to prevent spread, in both the community and in healthcare settings, remain important to protect those most vulnerable for severe COVID-19 disease.

"The JN.1 COVID-19 variant is currently the predominant variant in Ireland and globally. There is no evidence of a new SARS-CoV-2 variant associated with more severe disease. However, as in previous waves, when COVID-19 circulation increases, some level of increase in people experiencing severe disease does follow.

"Increased circulation in the community also results in an increase in outbreaks in nursing homes, hospitals and other healthcare settings putting vulnerable patients at risk of infection."

For advice on preventing the spread of COVID-19 and what to do if you have symptoms go to: https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/covid19/preventing-the-spread/.