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The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has said that there is consistent evidence that Covid-19 clusters occur more frequently in domestic settings and that there is a higher rate of progressive transmission in homes, compared to others. environments.
HIQA makes the observation in the advice it presented to the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) on higher risk activities and environments associated with the transmission of Covid-19.
The advice published today also says that “activities that involve eating, drinking, exercising, singing or yelling, prolonged face-to-face conversation, especially in close quarters with many people, were associated with an increased risk of transmission in several studies.” .
HIQA analyzed 19 different international studies involving 60,000 people who contracted the virus, to gather advice for the National Public Health Emergency team.
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“A variety of public health measures, such as the use of face covers, physical distancing, hand washing, and better ventilation, can reduce some of the risk of transmission,” states HIQA.
He goes on to say that while there is consistent evidence that the risk of transmission is “substantially lower” in outdoor settings, clusters have been “observed” in outdoor settings, particularly when there are large gatherings, limited social distancing, dense congregation and mix between groups.
The research found that clusters are also “constantly observed” in other places, including nursing homes, meat and food plants, large shared accommodations, nightclubs, bars, restaurants, gyms, offices, prisons, shopping malls, and religious settings.
The report said that many of these settings and activities have been associated with “super spread events” and have “seeded” large numbers of cases.
HIQA said the findings support NPHET’s current stance on settings and activities that pose a high risk of transmission.
He also highlighted the need for Irish data on environments and activities linked to increased risk of transmission to better understand national risk and mitigating factors.
Fatigue is not responsible for stagnant progress in suppressing the second wave
A leading behavioral scientist has said that he does not believe that “fatigue” is the reason behind the stalling of progress in suppressing the second wave of the virus.
ESRI Professor Pete Lunn said the evidence suggests that compliance with public health measures is not primarily due to fatigue, but to a “perception of risk.”
Professor Lunn said that as the number of cases here started to drop quite quickly, “maybe we saw a relaxation in people’s efforts.”
Now that “the numbers have stalled,” he said, it is hoped that people can “redouble their efforts and we can lower this second curve.”
Reacting to the research and advice released by HIQA today, Professor Lunn said that research like this is important to the general public.
“It reinforces some of those key messages about avoiding circumstances where we are indoors, where there is poor ventilation, where there are a lot of people and it is difficult to distance socially.
“When those factors come together, that’s where the greatest risk is.”
While the expert community may see multiple risk factors, people can sometimes underestimate them, he said.
HIQA research said there is consistent evidence that the risk of contracting Covid-19 outdoors is substantially lower than indoors.
Professor Lunn said this supports ESRI’s research on this topic.
“It does not mean that there cannot be transmission, but it substantially reduces the risk.
“What we found is that members of the public underestimate that difference compared to the expert community. It is not perfect, but being outdoors reduces the chance of contracting this disease.”
Ask people to adhere to the self-isolation guide
Dr. Máirín Ryan, Director of Health Technology Assessment and Deputy Executive Director of HIQA, said: “International evidence highlights that the main factors contributing to the spread of Covid-19 are closed environments, crowds and prolonged contact. with others.
“A lot can be done to mitigate risk in these environments, such as ensuring good ventilation and that people follow public health advice to wear face covers, maintain physical distance and wash hands frequently.”
Dr. Ryan said: “Our findings reinforce the importance of adherence to the self-isolation guideline, despite the challenges it may pose, for those with Covid-19, those awaiting test results, and those with symptoms that suggest Covid-19.
“This means following HSE guidelines on self-isolation, including staying indoors, in a room with an opening window and completely avoiding contact with other people, including, where possible, other members of the household, during at least 10 days “.
HIQA said that self-isolation guidelines should be applied due to the increased risk of transmission within homes and that compliance could be improved by providing different supports for those who cannot safely isolate themselves at home.
HIQA also highlighted the need for communication campaigns to focus on environments and activities conducive to transmission, the concept that there are different levels of risk, how to reduce risk, and the importance of adhering to self-isolation guidelines.
The number of Covid outbreaks identified in homes has more than doubled in the space of a week, according to the latest data from the Center for Health Protection Surveillance.
The data shows that 954 clusters were notified last week regarding private homes. This compares with 443 outbreaks in households during the previous week.
A cluster, or outbreak, is when two or more cases of the virus are discovered.
We are concerned about the current profile of # COVID-19 in Ireland and we are asking people to follow the public health advice for the weeks and months to come.
However, there are many reasons to be hopeful as we look to 2021 …
– Dr. Ronan Glynn (@ronan_glynn) November 18, 2020
Elsewhere, Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ronan Glynn has said that there is concern about the current profile of Covid-19 in Ireland and that the Department of Health is asking people to follow public health advice for the next few months. weeks and months.
In a series of tweets, Dr. Glynn said that there are many reasons to be hopeful as we look to 2021.
He said: “Our collective effort: The efforts of the majority have sustained our response from the beginning.
“People continue to make very important sacrifices to do the right things, protecting themselves and their families, but also for the collective good of their community at large.
“For the next two weeks we must continue to reduce this disease in our community, to stop # COVID19 once again on its way.”
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