Covid-19 Updates

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Most people who fall sick with COVID-19 will experience mild to moderate symptoms and recover without special treatment. However, some will become seriously ill and require medical attention.  The virus can spread quite easily by   droplet  and aerosol   and it the virus spreads more easily indoors and in crowded settings.

The  HSE   have  reported   a  rise in   community  transmission of  Covid- 19 . This is  most  likely   due to  waning  vaccination  protection  and  increased    travel overseas. All Cork  CIL staff  and  Service  Users are   asked remain   alert  to  the risks,  maintain   could    hand hygiene   cough  and   sneeze  etiquette  and   wear   PPE  appropriate  to  their  task  or  if  requested  to.  PPE  can  be  collected  from the  office. If  you  become  unwell   with respiratory  illness please  inform  us

HSE Covid 19 Update Aug 23

Symptoms of Covid 19   

Common symptoms include fever,  headache,  respiratory  symptoms,  fatigue,  and  altered sense of  taste and smell. It  can  also be asymptomatic.

If  you  are  unwell with symptoms consistent with a viral respiratory infection (including COVID-19)

• Stay at home and avoid contact with other people until 48 hours after symptoms have substantially or fully resolved.
• If  you are PA/HCWs who  works   face  to  face  with Service  Users  and  if you  have symptoms of a respiratory infection and who have a high temperature and who do not feel well enough to attend work should take an antigen test as soon as they feel unwell.
• Any adult including PA/HCW who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 (either PCR or antigen test confirmed) should stay at home for 5 days and avoid contact with others from date of onset of symptoms or if asymptomatic from the date of their first positive test.
• PA / HCW’s who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 (either PCR or antigen test confirmed) should follow general testing advice for the public except where indicated by local dynamic institutional risk assessment(s) or as part of the public health management of an outbreak or specific public health risk. This risk assessment may indicate a requirement for specific HCWs to undertake antigen testing prior to returning to work particularly if they are working with the most clinically vulnerable. Cork  CIL  will  advise  you if  this is  the
• Close Contact! – no specific action. Work  as  normal  and  keep a watching brief.  If  you develop any  symptoms  follow  the  guidelines  as  above.

More  info New/Updated Guidance – Health Protection Surveillance Centre (hpsc.ie)

Covid 19  Vaccinations  and Boosters ?

• Covid  19  vaccination and  boosters   will offer  you  protection against serious illness with  Covid  19  infection
• It is important to keep up-to-date with your COVID-19 vaccines, even if you are already vaccinated or you have had COVID-19. This is because the protection you got from your previous vaccines or from a COVID-19 infection may weaken over time. Boosters increase your protection from COVID-19 and also protect the people you care for every day
• You should get your booster at least 4 months after your last COVID-19 vaccine. If you have had COVID-19, you should wait at least 4 months after your symptoms started or after you tested positive before getting your booster.
• Check website  for  details. https://www2.hse.ie/services/covid-19-vaccination-centres/  Or  book  an  appointment at  a participating  pharmacy  or  your  GP and  you  can  get  your  Flu Vaccine  at the  same time

There is  a lot  of  really  useful  information on  HSE  website  follow  the links https://www2.hse.ie/screening-and-vaccinations/covid-19-vaccine/

How to Wash Your Hands with Soap and Water

Protect Yourself from Coronavirus

We must all do our best to slow down the spread of the Coronavirus by adhering to the following safety guidelines:

• Wash your hands properly and regularly.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve when you cough and sneeze.
• Put used tissues into a bin, and wash your hands.
• Clean and disinfect frequently-touched objects and surfaces.
• Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth if your hands are not clean.
• Practice social distancing.
• Consider wearing a mask in shops on public transport and other crowded places.