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Covid-19 cases rise more than 26% in single week

Limerick, Waterford and Laois have the highest incidence rates among cases confirmed through PCR tests.

THE NUMBER OF new Covid-19 cases recorded in Ireland was more than a quarter higher in the last week compared to the previous one, latest figures show.

In the last seven days, there have been 13,584 cases confirmed through PCR tests, with 17,640 positive antigen tests registered on the HSE website.

In total, it represents a 26.9% rise on the previous week, which saw 10,010 PCR cases and 14,589 positive antigens.

As of this morning, there are 776 patients with Covid-19 in hospitals around Ireland, the highest number since mid-April.

However, the number of Covid-positive patients in ICU has remained relatively stable throughout June, ranging between 20 and 35, with 31 cases in ICU today.

HSE Chief Operating Officer Colm Henry said the country is experiencing a wave caused by Omicron’s immune-evasive subvariants.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio One today, Henry said that “we are in the middle of a wave largely driven by these subvariants for Omicron called BA.4 and BA.5″.

“What we’re seeing now highlights the fact that even though we’re in a much better position as a country in relation to Covid compared to previous summers [...] much uncertainty still remains,” he said.

“This is not a seasonal virus in the way we understand other viruses. It’s a virus for all seasons.”

Henry said that people who contracted the Delta variant last year, or even earlier types of Omicron, can be reinfected by the new subvariants.

“What I would say though is that we’re seeing a longer-lasting effect of vaccination from serious illness, and that includes hospitalisation, intensive care, and even death,” he reassured.

“But we are seeing considerable pressure on our hospital system as a result.”

Health officials have repeatedly pointed to the strain that a rise in case numbers and hospitalisations can have on the health system as it tries to provide care and catch up on appointments that were previously delayed due to the pandemic.

“We always have known that if enough people get infected out there in the community, then even if a smaller proportion of those get sick, it does mean increased presentations in the hospital,” Henry said.

“Fortunately, we’re seeing two trends that offer some hope,” he said.

The first was that the incline upwards in hospital cases is “less steep” than the previous incline in March, while the second was the relative stability in ICU cases.

The county with the highest number of PCR-confirmed cases in the last 14 days is Limerick at 579.3 cases per 100,000 people, followed closely by Waterford at 575 and Laois at 564.4.

Dublin’s PCR 14-day incidence rate is 487.9 per 100,000.

The incidence rate is lowest in Monaghan and Cavan at 351.9 and 341.3 per 100,000 respectively.

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    Mute Johnny King
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    Jun 29th 2022, 7:37 PM

    If you think you haven’t had covid chances are you’re wrong.Antigens pick it up around half the time.You’ve had it. You’ll get it again. And again. You’ve had 4 vaccinations if you want them. Move on. Live the only life you get.
    Even my 89 year old grandmother realised a year ago there’s not much use in long term isolation anymore.It was only ever a chance small term solution.

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    Mute Pol Mlp
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    Jun 29th 2022, 7:50 PM

    @Johnny King: that’s the sad unfortunate thing..there are many people who will live out the rest of their days in isolation for fear of catching covid..ive had it 3 times and luckily I was grand for each go of it so that defo has helped myself come to terms with getting on with things and just living life..we were all nervous in February 2020 and thankfully the majority are over that initial apprehension to covid through themselves or folks they know having got it and come through it okay..but ofcourse their are more folks who have dealt with the sorrow of losing a loved one to covid too and ofcourse they will take each and every precaution they can due to seeing the full extent of what covid can do..so hopefully with time we can help these people come back to living life again

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    Mute Sinead Merrigan
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    Jun 29th 2022, 8:19 PM

    @Pol Mlp: you were very lucky to escape serious illness it’s not the same for many. I have had covid once and was pretty sick and run down with it and literally less than a month later I became seriously ill with another separate but connected issue.

    There are two prongs of people isolating and one is certainly fear but the other is protecting loved ones. Not everyone has an iron clad immune system and can just shrug covid off there are people that need to protect and prevent infection as they are vulnerable or even undergoing vital treatment which can be delayed by being infected with covid

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    Mute Caitlin Far
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    Jun 29th 2022, 9:21 PM

    @Pol Mlp: agree. I’m terrified of Covid as it killed my uncle in November 2020. I saw him suffocate on an iPad and attended restricted funerals.

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    Mute Caitlin Far
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    Jun 29th 2022, 9:23 PM

    @Sinead Merrigan: you’re so right. I lost my uncle to Covid and I live with an immunocompromised person. So I’m very careful and mask etc. I’ve been through the heartbreak of my uncle dying alone.

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    Mute Brianán McBride
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    Jun 30th 2022, 8:47 AM

    @Johnny King: antigen test I did Sunday was negative, PCR on Monday positive. I have very mild symptoms tg.

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    Mute James Quinn
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    Jun 29th 2022, 7:23 PM

    Just got my second booster. I’m so happy I feel like my heart is gonna explode!

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    Mute Jack Johnson
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    Jun 29th 2022, 7:34 PM

    @James Quinn: you wouldn’t be the first the end up with heart trouble anyway

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    Mute A$AP Ragnick
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    Jun 29th 2022, 8:32 PM

    @Jack Johnson: whoosh.

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    Mute Billy McNamara
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    Jun 29th 2022, 8:37 PM

    @James Quinn: That wouldn’t be good for you.

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    Mute Mike Dé Vere
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    Jun 30th 2022, 2:53 PM

    @James Quinn: it probably will

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    Mute Richard Ahern
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    Jun 29th 2022, 7:20 PM

    Time for the masks again. I’m not going to wait for something to hit me & then try to work around it. No sirrie Bob, I’m starting with the face covering & keeping away from ignorant, low-intelligent loudmouths who live in cloud cuckoo Land.

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    Mute The Bolt
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    Jun 29th 2022, 7:26 PM

    @Richard Ahern: You do what you need to do Richard and don’t worry about those bold people that get on either their lives.

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    Mute JedBartlett
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    Jun 29th 2022, 7:26 PM

    @Richard Ahern: It’s usually true that those who label others as being of low intelligence are more often than not in that bracket too. It’s a hallmark.

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    Mute Mar Bourne
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    Jun 29th 2022, 7:53 PM

    @Richard Ahern: Tax the masks

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    Mute Radek Warchola
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    Jun 29th 2022, 7:55 PM

    @JedBartlett: where did you dream that up??

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    Mute Mar Bourne
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    Jun 29th 2022, 8:07 PM

    @Richard Ahern: by calling people all those names you’re living up to your name. You must be a giant Richard.

    39
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    Mute Damien Leen
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    Jun 29th 2022, 8:33 PM

    @Richard Ahern: work away lad…no one forcing you to not wear one…like no one is being forced to wear one…that ok with you pet!

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    Mute lelookcoco
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    Jun 29th 2022, 9:50 PM

    @Damien Leen: You’re a condescending asphalt

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    Mute Damien Leen
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    Jun 29th 2022, 9:57 PM

    @lelookcoco: and you’re a hypocritical in$ufferable b0re…you have my pity!

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    Mute Margaret O Neill
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    Jun 29th 2022, 11:40 PM

    At a wedding in Wicklow on the 21st June, the bride and groom from usa and a large number of their guest tested positive for covid, but they decided that everyone should keep quiet about it. They didn’t tell the hotel or any of the staff, since the wedding, sixteen Irish guest have come down with Covid. Sadly two of whom are immune compromised. The bulk of the wedding party have travelled to the west and south, some of them will be in the Dublin Airport this Friday, some going on to Europe some heading back to USA. I think this is an utter disregard for the health of people and they see nothing wrong!!

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    Mute Edward Reid
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    Jun 30th 2022, 12:01 AM

    @Margaret O Neill: a suspicion that most brides and grooms now would say nothing anyway if they tested positive before the wedding. It’s a tough call with the amount of money involved especially if lots of family and friends have already gone to the expense if travelling here for it. And before anyone says it, yes the cost of loosing someone to it is going to be higher of course but I think it’s what the majority would do right now unless they weren’t physically able to go ahead.

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    Mute Mike Dé Vere
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    Jun 30th 2022, 2:57 PM

    @Margaret O Neill: look, everyone is going to get covid and you have to expect that.

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    Mute Irish Opinion
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    Jun 29th 2022, 7:31 PM

    We will be talking about covid in our rocking chair..

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    Mute SPQH
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    Jun 30th 2022, 2:25 PM

    @Irish Opinion: in your virtual rocking chair in the metaverse, living in an isolated Covid free capsule while being fed by tubes and your excrement powering the grid…. Oh wait… No that was a movie

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    Mute Cynical
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    Jun 29th 2022, 7:20 PM

    Close the pubs?

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    Mute Martin
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    Jun 29th 2022, 7:23 PM

    @Cynical: close your mouth!

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    Mute JedBartlett
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    Jun 29th 2022, 7:25 PM

    @Martin: How will that prevent them from typing..?

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    Mute A$AP Ragnick
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    Jun 29th 2022, 8:59 PM

    @JedBartlett: close the fingers.

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    Mute lelookcoco
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    Jun 29th 2022, 9:52 PM

    @Cynical: Close the Journal

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    Mute Genera L Consensus
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    Jun 29th 2022, 7:42 PM

    Fancy a lockdown?

    36
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    Mute Aunties
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    Jun 29th 2022, 11:23 PM

    Got 3 weeks ago . Not nice . Down for 2 weeks.

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    Mute Brianán McBride
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    Jun 30th 2022, 8:43 AM

    I tested positive on Monday and I’m gutted as l was due to have surgery next week and it’s now put off for seven weeks. I have been so careful this last few weeks wearing my mask, avoiding people and I still got it. My symptoms are very mild.

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    Mute Hotirish
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    Jun 30th 2022, 9:28 AM

    I suddenly seem to know loads of people who have it again, numbers must be way higher than being registered.

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