*Photograph: Sean Curtin / True Media
A number of “complex outbreaks” of COVID-19 are under investigation in Clare, the Department of Public Health Mid-West has confirmed.
Spread of COVID-19 in Clare has deteriorated with less than five daily cases of the virus recorded on Saturday for the first time in over a month. Data from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) from Wednesday evening detailed that county recorded 116 cases in the past 14 days and had a 14 day incidence rate per 100k of the population of 97.6.
The Clare Echo has learned that the Department of Public Health Mid-West are investigating complex outbreaks in the county in workplaces. “These include outbreaks in workplaces, some of which are linked to clusters in households; multi-household outbreaks; outbreaks associated with funerals; and outbreaks among households and extended family members, arising out of household visits,” a spokesperson confirmed.
In the week ending March 6th, there were 66 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Clare reflecting a steady decrease in recent weeks. “For the first time in almost four months, we are seeing early indications that Clare is returning to a sustained period of single digit increases on a daily basis. This is a direct result of the community’s diligent efforts since Level 5 restrictions were introduced. Clare has a strong track record of maintaining low levels of infection, and this can be continued if the public continue to follow Public Health guidelines, avoid household visits and social gatherings, and consult their GPs if they show even the mildest of symptoms”.
Confirmed cases have been encouraged to speak openly with contact tracers who are investigating serious outbreaks across the Mid-West.
“When a contact tracer phones an individual who is a confirmed case, it is a strictly confidential and private process to determine all possible points of exposure and potential links to other cases of COVID-19. It allows the Department to map the chain of transmission in a setting or community, and to prevent the further spread of infection in a timely manner,” the Department emphasised.
Hesitancy has been noted in a small number of instances among young people to be fully forthcoming with information. “We are seeing this similar pattern in all age groups, albeit in small numbers, in multi-household outbreaks in housing estates and communities across the Mid-West,” the spokesperson added.
Dr Mai Mannix, Director of Public Health Mid-West, said: “There is no such thing as giving too much information to a contact tracer, but there are instances where information is scant. The less open you are about your movements and close contacts, the more challenging it is for us to investigate and prevent further outbreaks. You could be the first link in a long chain of transmission that infects someone very vulnerable, but you can break that link by following public health advice and being open with contact tracers”.
