People should wear masks on public transport and meet up outdoors, according to the interim Chief Medical Officer, Professor Breda Smyth.
In an update to the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, Professor Smyth advised that people should meet outdoors “if possible” and wear masks when using public transport in an effort to limit the spread of Covid-19.
The CMO also advised to avoid poorly ventilated spaces and to keep windows open when meeting others indoors.
According to the report, the current data indicates “continuing high levels of infection” and a significant number of cases receiving general hospital care, although this figure has continued to fall in the days leading up to the finalisation of the report.
Read More: Stephen Donnelly wants to stay on as Health Minister after reshuffle 'to help people'
“The recently observed deterioration in the disease profile further emphasises the importance of communicating the existing key public health advice to the general public so that individuals may optimally protect themselves from severe health outcomes associated with COVID-19,” according to the CMO’s report.
As of July 26, 21% of cases in ICU were unvaccinated while 79% were fully vaccinated. In relation to the 79% of vaccinated ICU cases, the CMO said: “88% were recorded as having received one booster/additional dose and none were recorded as having received multiple boosters.”
A total of 4,870 confirmed PCR cases have been reported in the 7 days to 27th July 2022, a 55% decrease from the week prior while 6,095 positive antigen test results were reported in the same period, a 39% decrease from the week prior.
There were 471 confirmed Covid-19 cases in hospital on July 29, compared with 704 the week prior.
As of 27th July 2022, there have been 7,675 Covid-19-related deaths reported in Ireland since the beginning of the pandemic.
Recent data released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) showed that 91% of those that died from Covid-19 in Ireland were over 65.
The highest number of deaths was recorded in Dublin city at 951 while the lowest number was recorded in Leitrim with 26 deaths from Covid-19.
59% of all covid-related deaths occurred in general and orthopaedic hospitals while 29% occurred in nursing homes.
There have been 1,647,605 cases in Ireland since the beginning of the pandemic, according to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre.
READ NEXT:
· Prison officers drafted into Mountjoy to deal with 'crisis' amid murder and riot
