News: COVID-19 transmission continues at moderate to high levels in Ireland – Health Protection Surveillance Centre

Published: June 26, 2024

Indicators continue to show moderate to high levels of COVID-19 transmission in Ireland.

In week 25 (June 16-22, 2024):

The COVID-19 variant JN.1 remains the dominant lineage in Ireland. The KP.3 variant, a sublineage of JN.1, is increasing in Ireland. It accounted for 21.8% of sequences for weeks 19 to 23 2024. This compares to 1.6% for weeks 14 to 18 2024. While KP.3 appears 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.

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/. If you have any symptoms of COVID-19, even mild ones, stay at home until 48 hours after your symptoms are mostly or fully gone. You should also avoid contact with other people, especially people at higher risk of severe COVID-19.

Guidance on infection prevention and control in health care settings is available at:https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/guidanceforhealthcareworkers/

Information on COVID-19 trends is updated every Wednesday on theRespiratory Virus Notification Data Hub.

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News: COVID-19 transmission continues at moderate to high levels in Ireland - Health Protection Surveillance Centre