New covid-19 variant, Eris, detected in Ireland
In the last week, 3,717 tests have been completed with a positivity rate of 18.1%. Picture: iStock
The HSE has confirmed a new variant of covid-19 has been identified in Ireland, as the World Health Organisation (WHO) urged the Government to remain vigilant against the virus.
Eris, a descendant of the Omicron variant, has been associated with outbreaks in hospitals in Ireland.
The variant, EG.5 or Eris, is established in the UK and America also, and while it is more transmissible than previous variants, it does not cause more severe illness.
The WHO also issued a notice on this variant on Wednesday, however, it said: “The public health risk posed by EG.5 is evaluated as low at the global level”.
It has been designated as a ‘variant of interest’ rather than the more serious ‘variant of concern’.
There are currently no variants of concern being monitored by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
People are advised to follow covid-19 prevention measures in an effort to prevent the spread of the variant.
While the severity of infection may not be higher than other variants, it is important to remember that all covid-19 infections carry the risk of leading to long covid.
During a press briefing on covid-19, the WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said while deaths and cases worldwide appear to be declining, only 25% of countries chose to report deaths and 11% hospitalisations in the last month.
The WHO has now made seven recommendations to governments, including that they prepare long-term strategies for dealing with covid-19.
Vaccination against the virus, treatment, and research should all continue.
“There is no question that the risk of severe disease and death is vastly lower than it was a year ago,” he said.
“Thanks to increasing population immunisation from vaccination, infection and both, and from early diagnosis with better clinical care. Despite these improvements, WHO continues to assess the risk of covid-19 to the global public as high.”
He said they are tracking several variants and the risk of a more severe variant emerging remains.
According to the HSE, the number of patients in ICU with covid increased slightly last month but overall remains low.
It noted that there have been waves of increased covid-19 activity every few months since the beginning of 2022.
"As in previous waves, when covid-19 case numbers increase substantially, there is a corresponding increase in hospital and ICU admissions and we are experiencing that now," the HSE said in a statement.
"In Ireland, we have seen in previous waves that increased circulation in the community results in an increase in patients with covid-19 in hospital, and an increase in outbreaks in hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare settings."
According to the latest data released on Wednesday, there are currently 13 confirmed cases of covid in intensive care with two admitted in the past 24 hours.
There are a total of 408 confirmed cases in hospitals around the country, 80 of which were confirmed in the last 24 hours.
In the last week, 3,717 tests have been completed with a positivity rate of 18.1%.
Three people with covid-19 have passed away in the seven days to August 8 bringing the total number of deaths in Ireland to 9,128.
A number of factors can drive waves of infection including increased travel, waning immunity, and increased indoor mixing.
The HSE is now reiterating the need for vulnerable settings like hospitals and care homes to "review their infection prevention and control measures" to ensure they are in line with published guidance available.
"It’s important we all continue to take simple actions like handwashing and covering your cough that will protect our families and communities, particularly those at the greatest risk of severe illness," a statement advised.
However, the HSE has said that "unless you are in a specific risk group or setting, you will not be tested unless a GP or healthcare worker advises you to have one".
They recommend that if you feel unwell, "you should stay at home until 48 hours after your symptoms are mostly or fully gone". They also advise that you "stay away from work and avoid crowded indoor spaces".
According to the HSE, "vaccination remains our best protection against severe complications from covid-19 infection" and this autumn, a new booster programme will be rolled out. All eligible groups will be invited to receive free vaccines.
"HSE strongly encourages eligible patients to take up the offer of vaccines to protect themselves, their families, and their wider community."
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
