Covid cases up more than 60% over past week, latest data shows

Confirmed Covid-19 cases have increased by more than 60 per cent over the past week, according to the latest figures from the infectious diseases watchdog.

There were 502 cases of the virus reported in the week up to June 1st, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has said. This is up from the 306 cases that were reported in the previous week, an increase of 64 per cent.

The number of people with the virus being admitted to hospital is also beginning to increase, with 172 Covid patients in Irish hospitals last week. This is an increase of almost 55 per cent on the 111 hospitalisations two weeks earlier.

However, there were no deaths or admissions to intensive care as a result of the virus last week.

Number of recorded Covid-19 cases increases by 60% in a week

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Of the cases reported in recent weeks, the biggest increase has been seen among those aged 65 and over, with 269 cases reported among this age group last week.

Since the start of the year, there have been 172 deaths of people who Covid-19. However, the HPSC said this number is “likely to be an underestimate” as registration of a death can occur up to three months after the date of death.

Increased waves of Covid-19 are usually seen every three to five months, the HPSC said, with the last substantial waves of the virus occurring over the winter period. According to the HPSC, spring and summer waves tend to be smaller than winter waves.

“There is no evidence of a new Sars-CoV-2 variant associated with more severe disease and indicators of severe Covid-19 disease in Ireland remain low. However, as in previous waves, if Covid-19 case numbers increase substantially, some level of increase in people experiencing severe disease is likely to follow,” the HPSC said.

“We have also seen in previous waves that increased circulation in the community results in an increase in outbreaks in nursing homes and other healthcare settings.”

There were 37 outbreaks last week, all of which were in healthcare and residential institutions.

Circulation of the virus has also been increasing in other European countries. However, the number of reported cases in Ireland is likely to be an underestimate as testing for Covid-19 has largely been wound down, with test centres having closed in March 2023.

The spring Covid-19 booster is available until June 14th and is aimed at people who are aged 80 or older, people aged five or older with a weak immune system and those living in a nursing homes and care facilities.

Booster vaccines are available from participating GPs and pharmacists.

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