HSE planning on new Covid vaccination booster in the autumn for older people and those who are vulnerable
Dr Colm Henry, chief medical officer, says an increase in community transmission of Covid during recent weeks is linked to the arrival here of Eris, a new, more infectious variant of the virus. Photograph: Alan BetsonChildren who are unwell do not usually need to be tested for Covid-19 and do not have to be kept at home if they have a runny nose or a sneeze but are otherwise well, the HSE has said as people plan for the reopening of schools.
The chief medical officer, Dr Colm Henry, has said an increase in community transmission of Covid during recent weeks is linked to the arrival here of a new, more infectious variant of the virus, which has been given the name Eris, or EG.5. “It’s a derivative of the known Omicron variant, and it is more transmissible and certainly driving community transmission in recent weeks,” Dr Henry said on RTÉ radio on Friday. “Not just here, but internationally, and accounting now for a significant proportion of increased hospital activity of Covid-19.”
There was no evidence that Eris was more deadly or produced more serious illness than other variants of the virus, the medical officer said. There has been no increase in pressure on the intensive care system.
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