Kerry doctor advises caution after COVID spike – ‘It remains a highly infectious illness’

Dr Shanahan, who runs a clinic at the Farranfore Medical Centre, said there is an increase in people presenting with respiratory illness, many of whom have COVID without knowing it. He believes this poses problems in trying to reduce transmission.

Thankfully, the illness is presenting as mild. This is likely due to the fact many people now have some level of immunity to the current strain, which is not as severe as it was four years ago.

A figure of just over 650 COVID cases was reported nationally by the HSE just a week ago. However, Dr Shanahan feels the true figure is several times greater given people are not self-isolating.

The main medical advice is not a general return to isolation, but be aware the virus is in circulation. Handwashing and wearing masks in places where the risk of transmission is greater is still advised.

“Everyone is noticing quite a surge,” Dr Shanahan said.

“The common experience, or symptom, is that it’s a cold: runny nose, scratchy eyes, and a tickly cough. People are not ill or sick with this. Having said that, the old caveats still apply for the otherwise compromised individuals, be they elderly or people with underlying medical conditions,” he added.

He advised people to be aware that the virus is still in circulation, and take necessary precautions.

“I would just encourage people to be conscious of it. Because it remains a highly infectious illness, we are strongly recommending people isolate when they get it,” Dr Shanahan explained.

“If someone has COVID they should take themselves out of circulation for five days. The problem with this is if you get a lot of people in the workforce coming down with it at the same time, you’re going to have a lot more people out. I am aware of one nursing home where five members of staff are currently out with COVID,” Dr Shannan said.