The Chief Clinical Officer of the HSE said 37% of patients in ICU have not completed their primary course of vaccination. Speaking at a HSE briefing, Dr Colm Henry said those who are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated are disproportionately represented in those who are seriously ill.
He said there is "a large degree of uncertainty" regarding the trajectory of Covid-19. Dr Henry said "there is a high degree of immunity from natural infection and vaccination" but "re-infection is possible." However, he said infections are now "less likely to translate into severe disease." He said "the conversion into hospitalisations and ICU is at a much lower rate" due to the protection from infection or vaccination. "There are now multiple opportunities for the virus to transmit in the community," Dr Henry said.
He said the most important preventative measures "by a country mile" are to get vaccinated and to get boosted. He also said people who are sick or have symptoms should stay at home and people should also consider the use of masks on public transport. Hospitals and nursing homes under pressure The HSE said Covid-19 is having a highly disruptive impact on health services and it has appealed to people to consider all care options before attending emergency departments over the coming days.
HSE Chief Executive Paul Reid said there should not be undue stress or concern from the highlighting of the impact of the virus on services.