The Ministry of Health ends the daily publication of Covid-19 figures

The Department of Health said it would no longer release daily Covid-19 figures as the public was urged to follow public health advice over the bank holiday weekend.

The department, the HSE, the Health Protection Surveillance Center (HPSC) and the National Virus Reference Laboratory, overseen by Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan, will continue to monitor all information relating to the epidemiology of Covid-19.

Officials said this includes all information relating to case numbers, local outbreaks and associated trends, as well as the emergence and detection of new variants in Ireland and overseas.

Information on Covid-19 in Ireland will be regularly updated on the department’s data hub site.

It comes as the department released its latest daily Covid figures.

There have been 980 other positive cases of Covid-19 confirmed by PCR tests in Ireland.

In addition, a further 1,020 people have registered a positive antigen test via the HSE portal.

As of 8 a.m. Friday, there were 378 Covid-19 patients in hospital, including 39 in intensive care.

A Department of Health spokeswoman said: “With the May bank holiday approaching, it is important that we all continue to follow public health advice to socialize safely and maintain our focus on protecting people. most vulnerable to the severe effects of Covid-19, as well as ourselves.

‘Anyone showing symptoms of Covid should self-isolate for up to 48 hours after symptoms have substantially or completely resolved – please do not attend social events, work, school or university if you have symptoms.

“Anyone diagnosed with Covid should self-isolate for seven days from the date symptoms first appeared or, if asymptomatic, from the date of the first positive test.

“Anyone coming out of self-isolation on the seventh day should continue to adhere to other public health protection measures.”

People are urged to wear masks on public transport and in health facilities.

Wearing a mask is also advised based on individual risk assessment, especially when disease incidence is high.

“Anyone who wishes to wear a mask should not be discouraged from doing so,” the department added.

“People vulnerable to Covid-19 are further advised to be aware of the risk associated with the activities they may choose to engage in and to take steps to protect themselves optimally.

“Vulnerable people are advised to consider wearing masks in crowded indoor environments, as may be associated with, for example, social gatherings or other activities and events.

“Continue to practice good hand and respiratory hygiene by regularly washing and sanitizing your hands and coughing/sneezing into your elbow. Maintain physical distancing whenever possible.

“Meet outside if possible. When meeting indoors, avoid poorly ventilated spaces and keep windows open.

Many people who were infected with Covid-19 over the Christmas period will now be eligible for a first booster dose, while people aged 65 and over are eligible for their second Covid-19 booster shot.

People with weakened immune systems aged 12 and over can also get their second booster, when it’s due.