You wake up one morning feeling hot and tired. You blame the weather, overdoing it at work, and staying up too late. You somehow get through the day but by evening you are beginning to wilt. By now, you have a full blown fever and feel exhausted.
Or maybe your symptoms are mild and you just feel a little sniffly and out of sorts. This persists for a few days but you continue to work and go about your duties as normal.
You wonder if you have a cold, flu, or hayfever because your symptoms seem to fit these conditions. It does not even occur to you that you might have Covid-19. The fact that this infection is no longer hitting the headlines and is not a topic of household conversation anymore means that many people have forgotten about it. Some even think it has gone away. But this is not the case.
People continue to contract this highly contagious virus, which sparked a global health emergency and shut down the country, in March 2020. A total of 817 cases of Covid-19 were recorded in Galway city and county from the beginning of this year until August 24, according to the HSE West. It is important to note that only positive PCR test results [tests carried out by healthcare staff, GPs, or private companies which are sent to a laboratory for analysis] are counted. The results of antigen tests, which you do yourself at home and which involve taking a swab from your nose, are not included in this data. So, the "real" Covid figures may be much higher than the official statistics.
The highest Covid-19 numbers in Galway this year were recorded in June and July when 185 cases were reported for each of these summer months. This is compared to 54 cases in May.
Dr Áine McNamara, the area director of public health for the HSE West and North West, says from June onwards there was a sustained, markedly higher level of Covid-19, akin to that observed during winter. This corresponded with what was occurring in the World Health Organisation's (WHO ) European region which reported a summer wave of the infection, she says.
She attributes the local increase in cases to holiday travel, mass gatherings (sports events, festivals, etc ) and lack of "competition" from other respiratory viruses. There are more of these viruses, such as influenza and RSV, a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms, co-circulating in the winter months.
Linked cases
While the local Covid-19 figures for June and July were the highest recorded this year, (January had the third highest with 140 cases reported ), the number of people who contracted the virus in August had fallen to 115.
Forty-five Covid-19 outbreaks - an outbreak is declared when two or more linked cases occur - were reported in Galway city and county so far this year. "Outbreaks continue to occur in healthcare settings around the county and do not always reflect acquisition in these settings," says Dr McNamara.
The majority of local people (197 of the total number of 817 ) who contracted Covid-19 this year were aged 75 to 84 years, according to HSE West figures. The second highest group affected were 85 years and older (153 ) followed by those aged 65 to 74 years. "As is apparent, all ages 65 years or greater, are significantly affected. This reemphasises the importance of those over 60 getting their booster vaccine this winter."
Interestingly, the next highest group affected (94 people ) were children aged from 0 to four years followed by 55 to 64 year-olds. The age group least represented in the total Covid figure were five to 14 year-olds. Males and females were similarly affected with 52 per cent of males and 48 per cent of females making up the total group who contracted the virus.
The most common symptoms of Covid-19 are a fever (a high temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or above ), including having chills, a dry cough, and fatigue. The symptoms may be similar to those of cold, flu, or hayfever. Dr McNamara says people may not have all of the above symptoms or theirs may be mild. So far, the available data does not indicate any major change in symptoms with the newer Covid variants.
If you test positive for the virus, she advises staying at home for five days from the date you first had symptoms and to avoid contact with other people, especially those at higher risk from the illness.
"You can leave home after five days if your symptoms have fully or mostly gone for the last 48 hours. It's OK to leave home after five days if you still have a mild cough or changes to your sense of smell. These can last for weeks after the infection has gone."
International concern
As we head into autumn, the local health authority, which continues to monitor Covid-19 figures at local and national level, cautions against complacency.
The WHO announced in May, 2023 that Covid-19 was no longer a public health emergency of international concern. However, Dr McNamara stresses this is not to say that the virus has disappeared.
"Covid-19 circulates year-round and unless this pattern changes, multiple waves of infection may be observed each year. Whilst number increases are concerning, it is important to remember the success of the vaccination programme. A WHO/Europe study published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine in August 2024 reported, that from the time of their introduction in December 2020 through to March 2023, Covid-19 vaccines reduced deaths due to the pandemic by at least 59 per cent, saving more than 1.6 million lives in the WHO European region.
"In addition Covid-19 vaccination saved most lives during the period when the Omicron variant was dominant, from December 2021 to March 2023. This reinforces the importance of up-to-date vaccination among the most at-risk individuals."
She points out that Ireland is in a much better position regarding Covid-19 now because of the vaccination programme than it was a few years ago.
"The Meslé study [which estimated the number of lives saved by the Covid-19 vaccination programmes in the WHO European region from December, 2020 to March, 2023] showed that countries like Ireland that had implemented an early vaccination programme with a high vaccine uptake saw the greatest benefit in terms of overall numbers of lives saved."
She says it is difficult to predict how the virus will "behave" for the remainder of 2024. "Multiple waves could be possible as countries in the [WHO European] region have transitioned from crisis management to sustainable, integrated, longer-term disease management."
She emphasises that prevention is better than cure, especially in terms of the impact of Long Covid. Getting vaccinated not only helps to protect us against serious illness and hospitalisation, but it also helps to protect those more vulnerable in our communities.
Latest booster
"We are urging everyone eligible to take up this opportunity to protect themselves by getting vaccinated at this time. It is vital that all those who are eligible, get their free Covid-19 booster vaccines from participating pharmacies or GPs. There will also be pop-up clinics available and information on these will be available at HSE.ie "We know that people's immunity from the Covid-19 vaccine weakens over time, especially in older people. This latest booster will keep them protected from serious illness and boost their immunity against infection from Covid-19. It's helpful to keep in mind that it takes around two weeks for the vaccines to take effect, so it's important to not delay receiving your vaccine."
The rate of vaccine uptake among over 50s in the west and north-west was lower than several other regions from August 2023 to February 2024, outlines Dr McNamara. She is encouraging everyone who is eligible to avail of a booster vaccine this autumn/winter.
"The HSE will shortly roll out the autumn/winter vaccine booster campaign to top up people's protection ahead of the expected rise in infection. We strongly urge anyone who is eligible for both the Covid-19 and flu booster vaccine to avail of it when available. The vaccine is recommended for:
• people aged 60 years and older
• those aged six months to 59 years with immunocompromise associated with a suboptimal response to vaccination
• those aged six months to 59 years with medical conditions associated with a higher risk of Covid-19 hospitalisation, severe disease, or death
• people aged 18 to 59 years living in long-term care facilities for older adults
• health and care workers.
"Sufficient stock of vaccine has been procured to ensure eligible people can get it from their GP, pharmacy, or HSE clinic. Covid-19 vaccines used within the current programme can be used for both booster and primary doses. The programme will launch in October in conjunction with the seasonal influenza programme as normal. More information will be available from hse.ie before the programme launches."
The children's flu vaccine, which comes in the form of a nasal spray, will be available for those aged two to 17 years in autumn from GPs and pharmacies. Children are twice as likely as adults to catch the flu.
• For further information on the Covid-19 booster programme, visit hse.ie, telephone HSELive on 1800 700 700, or contact a participating GP or pharmacist.
