As Covid-19 rates rise in many parts of Cork and Kerry, acting Director of Public Health Dr Anne Sheahan has urged to public to take every precaution to make sure they are not unwittingly spreading the virus.
In particular Dr Sheahan appealed to everyone to act immediately if they have any symptoms suggestive of Covid-19 by staying away from others and arranging a test as quickly as possible.
Book Your Own Test
One of the easiest ways to get tested is to book your own test on www.hse.ie at your nearest test centre. Same-day appointments are usually available. Or you can talk to your GP who will set you up for a test.
“We have seen an increase in cases in many areas in the last few weeks. I am particularly concerned by the number of cases spreading in workplaces.
Cases Can Be Prevented
Many of these cases could have been prevented if those with symptoms stayed away from their workplace or from social gatherings.
With the contagious Delta variant now the dominant variant in Ireland, we can’t afford to take any chances. If you have symptoms, even mild ones, please don’t presume that it’s a cold or another bug.
Don’t take a ‘wait and see approach’. Stay at home and arrange to be tested.”
Symptoms Easy to Dismiss
Dr Sheahan added that parents should make sure that if their child has symptoms, they should not be allowed to mix with other children, and a test should be arranged as quickly as possible.
“With children, it can be easy to dismiss symptoms as they are often very mild. However, your child may still spread Covid-19 to someone who is vulnerable. So if your child has symptoms, don’t send them to crèche or summer camp, don’t have play-dates and arrange a test quickly,” said Dr. Sheahan.
Symptoms to Watch For
Symptoms to watch out for include: a raised temperature; a new cough of any kind; a feeling of shortness of breath; any change to your sense of taste or smell.
“In addition, with the Delta variant we have some reports that headaches, sore throats and runny noses are the more frequent symptoms,” Dr Sheahan said.
Keep Up Protective Behaviour
She added that while the continued successful roll-out of the vaccination campaign is giving us all understandable hope and confidence, we still need to keep up with our protective behaviours for another while.
This includes wearing a mask where appropriate; keeping a distance from people not in your household and acting immediately if you have symptoms.
Vaccination – The Best Protection
Dr Sheahan concluded that the best protection for the entire community is to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
“Anyone aged 16 or over can now register on hse.ie for an appointment and appointments are being issued promptly.
“In addition, there will be walk-in clinics at the vaccination centres in Killarney, Tralee, Clonakilty, Bandon, City Hall Cork and MTU Bishopstown over the bank holiday weekend,” she said.
The centre in Kerry is at Ballymullen Barracks, Tralee, V92 C996. Walk-in testing from 9am to 11am Tuesday to Saturday, 2pm to 3pm Sunday and Monday.
You can book your own test at your nearest test centre by visiting: www.hse.ie
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