Latest #HSE media briefing just getting underway.
. @paulreiddublin: There continues to be a very concerning trend in hospital numbers.

238 in hospital, 29 in ICU.
In recent weeks,

25% of those hospitalised have been under the age of 35.

9 ICU admissions of people 35-64.

"Covid does impact all age groups".
Reid says Feedback from hospitals is:

▶️ Hospitals "extremely anxious" about what lies ahead in November.
▶️ Concerns about staff absenteeism and impacts of community transmission.
▶️ Call from HC Workers to public to protect frontline by following advice.
Reid describes HCWs in acute hospitals as "our goalkeepers". No good football team, he says, leaves their goalkeepers exposed.

He says the public are our "centre halfs" - appealing to them to do whatever they can to protect the healthcare workers.
#Budget2021:

Reid says HSE will shortly develop a National Service Plan based on the Budget. He says Covid has afforded HSE an opportunity to put in new pathways for care and for patients that will have long-term benefits for healthcare in the country.
👩‍🔬 Testing

Latest data.
Serial testing in food plants:

▶️ 81 facilities.
▶️ Positivity rate 0.4% detected.

Cycle 2 of the testing starts this month.
Schools:

▶️ 384 facilities have had mass testing.
▶️ 9,345 tested - students and teachers.
▶️ Positivity of 1.9%
Volume of contact tracing calls increased by a factor of 3.9 over past six weeks.
Recruitment:

▶️ Swabbing - first 500 people are through interview process. 80 have started.

▶️ Contact tracing. First 400 through interview. Expect to bring on 65-70 people per week in the weeks ahead.
NEW

Positive or "Detected" results will now be sent their result by text.

There will still be follow-up calls.

That started from the 12th October.
The App 🤳

5,500 close contacts.
8 other jurisdictions have taken the Covid Tracker code and used it in their countries.
Attendances and Admissions in Emergency Departments down.
Vacant beds on the decline.

Cork and Limerick particularly busy days Anne O'Connor.
% of Patients admitted who are confirmed #COVID19 positive.

Cavan the outlier on the left.
Interesting:

Vast majority of ICU beds are being used for non-Covid but that is "on the way up".
HSE says it's looking to extend contract on CityWest.

43 people there in self-isolation facility.

Plus 80 HCWs there self-isolating.
Nursing Homes:

1,081 being supported - 963 getting regular PPE.

One nursing home "significant concern" and 25 in an "Amber" category.
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