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The MOST COMMON number of close contacts a person testing positive for Covid-19 has in Ireland is now 3.
The figure was confirmed by the HSE this morning.
It comes after a difficult week for Ireland’s Test & Trace system, but it could be an early sign that Covid-19 restrictions are working.
HSE CEO Paul Reid said this morning that the test positivity rate continues to decline and that most of the close contacts identified by Public Health teams are in homes. “It’s still very early, but hey,” Reid said on Twitter. “We’re all part of the solution. Let’s keep going.”
Approximately 115,000 tests have been performed in the last 7 days. The positivity rate is now 6.2%, according to the Department of Health.
The positivity rate was 6.9% on Thursday and 7.3% on Monday.
Meanwhile, the average number of close contacts for all cases, including complex cases with a large number of contacts, is now 4.4.
The positivity rate in tests has dropped in the last 8 days. The number of close contacts has now been reduced to an average. of 3. Most close contacts are from home. Still very early but good. We’re all part of the solution. Let’s get on with this. @HSELive # COVID-19
– Paul Reid (@paulreiddublin) October 25, 2020
The HSE said earlier this week that it will ask 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 the tracking system for Ireland contacts.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly later said that the HSE had assured him that this “unique” decision would not be repeated.
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Health officials confirmed another 859 Covid-19 cases last night, bringing the total confirmed cases to 56,108.
The Health Department also reported four additional deaths.
The country has been under Level 5 restrictions since Thursday.
The restrictions, which must last six weeks, impose strict limits on social activities, with a few exceptions.
Visitors are not allowed to enter homes, indoors or outdoors, but a household may meet another household outside in an area other than their home.
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