HSE was forced to ask people to alert their own close contacts due to ‘unprecedented pressure’

THE HSE IS asking more than 2,000 people who received a positive Covid-19 test result last week to alert their own close contacts due to “unprecedented pressure” on Ireland’s contact tracing system.

The HSE said it will send a text message today to between 2,000 and 2,500 people who have been informed by text message of their infection, asking them to inform their own close contacts that they should restrict their movements and contact their GP “immediately. ” to arrange a date. proof.

The HSE said its contact tracing teams have faced “unprecedented pressure” over the past two weeks. Contact tracers typically contact the close contacts of infected cases to organize their analysis.

“This step is being taken to ensure that each person receives information as quickly as possible, allowing them to know their status and take steps to care for themselves and protect others from infection,” an HSE spokesperson said, adding that is a “one time” decision.

As first reported by the Irish Times, the HSE decided not to contact infected people on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for fear of major delays in contact tracing and will instead focus on tracing the contacts of those infected. Monday cases to avoid delays such as daily cases. keep going up.

However, vulnerable people over 70 and schoolchildren are being called among the confirmed Covid-19 cases over the three days and their close contacts are being traced, the HSE said.

“We know that people would prefer a personal call in what may be a worrying time and we would prefer to make those calls and continue to do so in the future,” said clinical director Dr. Colm Henry in a statement.

“For this temporary measure, we must reiterate that the contact tracing process has always been led by the information provided by the people we are calling, so we are sure that the people involved will be able to identify their own contacts and will contact them as soon as possible. “

HSE Clinical Director, Dr. Colm Henry

Source: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie

On average, Covid-19 cases have five close contacts.

“In response to the large numbers of people who tested positive for COVID-19 over the past weekend, and in an ongoing effort to maintain effective response times for contact tracing, the HSE is asking a limited number of people to alert their own close contacts of their positive result, ”said the HSE spokesperson.

“This step is being taken to ensure that each person receives information as quickly as possible, allowing them to know their status and take steps to care for themselves and protect others from infection.”

The HSE today will ask infected people identified between Friday and Sunday to forward the text message to their close contacts.

The “one-time temporary measure” is being implemented in consultation with GPs, to ensure that those affected are evaluated as soon as possible, the spokesman said.

Health officials last night confirmed another 1,269 Covid-19 cases in Ireland and 13 more deaths.

Occurs when the country enters Level 5 restrictions from midnight.

According to the Department of Health, 111,688 tests have been performed in the last seven days.