‘If you have flu-like symptoms, assume it is Covid and isolate yourself,’ warns Holohan

IF PEOPLE HAVE flu-like symptoms, they should assume they have Covid-19, said Dr. Tony Holohan.

Speaking at the Health Department press conference today, the Medical Director said there is no single set of symptoms “that will give you absolute proof” that you have the virus.

He noted that some people who have no symptoms also test positive.

The most common set of symptoms includes fever, cough, shortness of breath or shortness of breath, or loss or change in the sense of smell or taste.

However, Holohan said that people may not experience these symptoms and still have the virus.

He said that if people have flu-like symptoms, they should assume they have Covid-19.

“If you have flu-like symptoms, or any of the symptoms that I just mentioned there, you can accept that it is likely Covid, because we are seeing very few of the other viruses that cause these types of symptoms at this time of the year. year.

“We think a safe assumption for anyone, if you have symptoms of this type, is to assume that it is Covid and take that basic action yourself: isolate yourself, communicate with your GP and your GP will give you advice on whether it is worth it. the penalty in their individual case, to take a test or not ”.

Holohan added that GPs are doing “an excellent job … under enormous pressure right now.”

He said the huge increase in the number of cases in recent days is “extremely worrying.”

“We have not been as concerned at any point throughout the pandemic as we are now.”

Today six deaths and 6,110 new cases of the virus were confirmed.

Professor Philip Nolan, Chairman of Nphet’s Irish Epidemiological Modeling Advisory Group, said that the scenario modeling raises the possibility of 1,500 to 2,000 people in the hospital and 200 to 400 people in the ICU by mid-January, ” if we do not act to radically reduce transmission and incidence.

“It will be necessary for all of us to adopt public health measures of staying home and reducing contacts to suppress current levels of disease,” he said.

Professor Nolan said that the incidence of the virus is highest among young people ages 19 to 24 and that the incidence in those over 65 has increased since the end of December.

The 14-day incidence in Ireland is estimated to be between 700 and 800 cases per 100,000. “Right now, the underlying level of disease is higher than the first wave,” Nolan said.

With report by Cónal Thomas