One person is continuing to die with Covid-19 across the world every 44 seconds despite the decline in cases .
edros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned there is no guarantee the downward trend will persist, and the most dangerous thing is to assume they will.
The number of patients with Covid-19 in hospital in Ireland stood at 243 yesterday, down from 288 two weeks ago.
Of these, 12 are in intensive care – which is among the lowest levels of the pandemic.
The seven-day positivity rate for people going for PCR tests is 11.5pc, slightly up from two weeks ago when it was 10.8pc.
The HSE is hoping for a rise in the uptake of booster shots. Supplies of the first bivalent vaccine, protecting against the original strain and the BA.1 version of Omicron, is due here next month.
Emer Cooke, the Irish-born head of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), said these new-generation vaccines should be prioritised for use among the most vulnerable to prevent them from getting very sick if they catch Covid.
“Although these first two adapted vaccines are authorised for use in people aged 12 years and above who have received at least primary vaccination against Covid-19, the European Centre for Disease Control and EMA advise that these boosters be directed as a priority to people who are more at risk of progressing to severe disease because of certain risk factors,” she said.
“This includes people aged 60 years and above, the immunocompromised, and other vulnerable persons (from 12 years of age) with underlying conditions putting them at higher risk of severe Covid-19, and pregnant women.
“In addition, residents and staff in long-term care homes should be prioritised. Healthcare workers may also be considered due to their increased exposure in case of future new waves the virus.”
Meanwhile, another 15 cases of monkeypox were confirmed last week, bringing the number here so far to 160.
Just one woman has been diagnosed with the virus in Ireland.
The median age is 35, and most who give their sexual orientation identify as gay, bisexual, or men who have sex with men.
To date 17 cases here have been hospitalised, 10 were admitted for clinical care, and two for isolation; information on the other cases is still awaited.
The WHO said it is continuing to see a downward trend in monkeypox cases in Europe.
While reported cases from the Americas also declined last week, it’s harder to draw firm conclusions about the epidemic in that region.
Some countries in the Americas continue to report an increasing number of cases; there is also likely to be under-reporting in some areas due to stigma and discrimination, or a lack of information for those who need it most.
However, the WHO again warned of complacency and continues to recommend that all countries persist with a tailored combination of public health measures, testing, research and targeted vaccination, where vaccines are available.
