The number of Covid-19 cases among those 65 and older halves as the vaccine goes into effect

THE RATE OF daily cases among healthcare workers and those 65 and older has dropped dramatically as the vaccine program is implemented, new research shows.

The Central Statistical Office (CSO) shows that the percentage of cases among those over 65 years of age dropped from 18% in January to 9% in March.

The research also shows that the lowest number of cases was recorded among healthcare workers since last August, with 88 cases.

The CSO uses epidemiological dates for cases and the actual date of death, not the reported dates, which gives a clearer indication of when infections and deaths occur.

One of the trends identified by the OSC is that while the number of cases has stagnated as Ireland emerges from the third wave of the pandemic, the composition of these cases has changed considerably.

Research shows that in the week ending January 29, 18% of positive cases in that week were among people 65 and older.

In the week ending March 19, the proportion of cases attributable to those over 65 years of age dropped to 9%.

A similar drop in the incidence of Covid-19 can be seen among healthcare workers, from 1,253 cases in the week ending January 29 to just 88 cases in the week ending March 19, 2021.

The impact of this change in composition can be seen in the decrease in hospital admissions and in the ICU and in deaths related to Covid-19.

Last week, 38 deaths were recorded among confirmed Covid-19 cases.

About 87% of the deaths occurred in people 65 years of age or older.