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
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.