HPSC reports moderate to high levels of COVID-19 in Ireland
COVID-19 transmission continues at moderate to high levels in Ireland.
In week 29 (July 14 – 20, 2024):
- Recent technical issues have impacted on the number of COVID-19 cases and outbreaks reported during week 29, which includes delayed notifications from week 28.
- There were 982 confirmed cases of COVID-19 notified to the Computerised Infectious Disease Reporting (CIDR) system, an increase of 135 compared to week 28 (July 07 – 13, 2024) during which 847 confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported.
- The number of hospitalised cases increased by 69 during week 29. There were 399 hospitalisations reported, compared to 330 during the preceding week.
- There were 361 hospital in-patients with confirmed COVID-19 on the morning of the 22nd July 2024, compared to 372 patients at the same day and time of the preceding week 28 (15th July 2024).
- ICU admissions resulting from COVID-19 infection remained low and stable during week 29.
- Outbreaks notifications from healthcare settings increased by 17 to a total of 67 during week 29, compared to 50 outbreaks reported during Week 28 2024. There were 24 acute hospital, 28 nursing home, 3 community hospital/long-stay unit, 4 other healthcare setting and 8 residential institution COVID-19 outbreaks notified during week 29.
COVID-19 variants
‘FLiRT’ lineages accounted for 34.8% of sequences for weeks 23 to 27, 2024. This compares to 54.3% for the previous five-week period (weeks 18 to 22, 2024). KP.3 lineages accounted for 55.0% of sequences for weeks 23 to 27, 2024. This compares to 13.4% for weeks 18 to 22, 2024.
While KP.3 (and sublineages) appear to have a growth advantage over other variants, there is no evidence that it (or any other currently circulating lineage) is associated with more severe disease.
Latest international reports available from WHO and ECDC:
https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/covid-19-epidemiological-update-edition-169
https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/2024-WCP-0038%20Final.pdf
Public health advice
As in previous waves, widespread circulation of COVID-19 often leads to an increase in people experiencing severe disease. Increased circulation in the community also leads to increased numbers of outbreaks in nursing homes, hospitals and other healthcare settings, putting vulnerable patients at risk of infection and leading to COVID-19-related healthcare staff shortages.
This current wave is a reminder that COVID-19 continues to circulate throughout the year and remains a considerable burden on the population and our health services when circulation is high.
It is important to remain vigilant for COVID-19 symptoms and take steps to prevent spread in both the community and in healthcare settings, to protect vulnerable people at high risk of severe COVID-19 disease.
For advice on preventing the spread of COVID-19 and what to do if you have symptoms, go to: https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/covid19/preventing-the-spread/
Guidance on infection prevention and control in health care settings is available at: https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/guidanceforhealthcareworkers/