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The medical director has said that the health department will no longer advise close contacts of confirmed Covid-19 cases to get tested.
This is in response to the high rate of positive tests seen in recent days and the widespread increase in infections in our communities across the country.
“We are once again in the mitigation stage of this pandemic,” he said.
“Test and trace is a containment exercise and we are no longer in a containment phase.
“However, it is imperative that if you are a close contact for a confirmed case, you restrict your movements and contact your GP immediately if you develop symptoms.”
In a statement, the HSE said “this step is being taken to ensure that those with symptoms are prioritized and tested as quickly as possible.”
Dr Holohan added: “This disease is now widespread in our communities and as a result we ask everyone to behave as if they are close contact.”
The CMO’s comments come as the Health Department tonight reported another 1,620 confirmed cases of Covid-19 along with an additional 12 deaths.
The number of cases since the outbreak began has reached 91,779 confirmed cases, as well as 2,237 deaths in total.
Hospitalizations have continued to rise across the country, with an additional 58 hospitalizations recorded in the past 24 hours.
In total, 490 patients are currently hospitalized with the virus, 42 of whom are in intensive care units.
Dr. Colm Henry, HSE’s clinical director, said the pressure on the public health system “is not sustainable.”
“A collective response from every individual, across all counties, to follow public health advice is essential to address the recent acceleration in the number of cases that we are seeing now,” he said.
“The reintroduction of Level 5 restrictions is essential to protect our vital public services, such as hospital admissions and non-Covid care, and to have maximum impact in the shortest time possible to minimize the spread of this disease “.
The 14-day national incidence rate of the virus is now 296.7 per 100,000 population.
Of the 1,620 cases reported today, the majority are in Dublin with 498 cases in the capital.
This is followed by 203 in Limerick, 89 in Galway, 73 in Cork and 67 in May.
The remaining 690 cases are spread across all other counties.
Of today’s results, 794 are men, while 819 are women.
It has been recorded that 65% of currently confirmed cases are under 45 years of age and the average age is 34 years.
In the north, another 11 people have died with Covid-19, the Health Department said.
Another 1,929 people also tested positive.
The occupancy of hospital beds is 467, 34 in an intensive care unit and 27 in a ventilator.
Total bed occupancy, including non-Covid patients, is 100%, with only six vacant.
Meanwhile, Education Minister Norma Foley has said it was the government’s “firm intention” that the schools reopen on January 11.
There had only been 94 cases of Covid in the school community of 1.1 million people, he told RTÉ radio’s News at One.
Three-quarters of the schools had not had to commit to public health services, he added.
When asked if Nphet had recommended that the schools reopen, Ms. Foley said no.
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