Archives for January 2021

Public Health Measures
We are experiencing an unprecedented surge in COVID-19 cases in Ireland. New Level 5 restrictions have come into place.  You can see the measures in place here.

 We ask everyone, for the protection of our friends, family and the frontline, to please stay at home.

 

COVID-19 Vaccination Programme
The vaccination programme continues to be rolled out nationwide, and over 77,000 people have been given their first dose already.

We encourage everyone in Ireland to read about the COVID-19 vaccine and to get their information from a factual, trusted source – our website on www.hse.ie/covid19vaccine is a good place to start, and you can find the vaccine information materials at www.hse.ie/covid19vaccinematerials

 

Video version of children’s test centre guide
The guide for children going to a COVID-19 test centre has been updated – updated illustrated guide for children. It has also been turned into an animation so parents have an alternative way to share this with their children to help prepare them for a test. The video is embedded on the ‘testing for children’ page on hse.ie and is also available on YouTube.

 

Face coverings
You can find video resources on face coverings here on the following topics:

–How to wear a face covering     – How to safely put on and remove a face covering

-How to safely put on and remove a facemask when required to wear one in a healthcare setting

–Face covering use while visiting a healthcare setting

 You can watch the HSE’s tv ad on face coverings here.

 

COVID-19 Guidance on visits to Long Term Residential Care Facilities (LTRCFs)
You can find the latest COVID-19 Guidance on visits to Long Term Residential Care Facilities (LTRCFs) here.

  

Keeping well this winter booklet – large print format
You can find the large print format of the Keeping well this winter booklet here.

 

Keeping well this winter booklet – Irish Sign Language (ISL)
You can find the ISL videos of the Keeping well this winter booklet under the videos section of the COVID-19 Deaf and Hard of Hearing Communications Resources page.

 

Free Stress Control Programme
HSE Health and Wellbeing are offering a free Stress Control programme to the public. Stress Control is an evidence-based programme that teaches you practical skills to deal with stress.

The programme helps participants recognise the signs of stress. It covers topics including how stress affects our bodies and our thoughts. It teaches skills to overcome panicky feelings and tips to getting a good night’s sleep.

Dr Jim White will live-stream the classes, free-of-charge.  You can watch the sessions either in the afternoon or evening.

This is a free programme and to participate simply visit www.stresscontrol.ie  

 

First Fortnight
First Fortnight is celebrating their 10^th anniversary as Ireland’s only national mental health themed arts festival with an all new virtual festival experience. Given the challenges people face due to the COVID-19 pandemic, never before has it been so important to look after our mental health, and support those we care about. To find out more, check out First Fortnight’s festival programme for the full list of art exhibitions, films, spoken word and stage performances, as well as workshops, music and poetry – all available online running to the 17th of January.

 

Public Health Information
As always, for the most up to date information and advice on Coronavirus, please go to: https://www2.hse.ie/coronavirus/ and https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/. Clinical and professional guidance relating to COVID-19 is available on www.hpsc.ie where you’ll find up to date guidance for healthcare settings and non-clinical settings.

Please check here for the most up to date partner resources for COVID-19.

Please also check the Healthy Ireland site here with further resources and information on the Keep Well campaign.

You can view the latest information on how Ireland is responding to cases of COVID-19 here.

Ireland’s COVID-19 Data Hub is available here.

Public Health Measures
We are experiencing an unprecedented surge in COVID-19 cases in Ireland. Right now, we all need to stay at home and act as if we have COVID-19. Ireland is now in Level 5 restrictions. You can see the measures in place here.

 

Updates to COVID-19 Testing and Tracing
The HSE is making changes to the testing and tracing system, in response to the very high rates of positive tests seen over recent days, and the widespread increase in infections in our communities nationwide.

 Main changes to COVID-19 Testing and Tracing:

-The HSE will not be referring close contacts for a test. This is so that people who are symptomatic can be prioritised and receive a test as quickly as possible.

-People who received notification by SMS that they are a close contact must restrict their movements for 14 days. If they develop symptoms, they should call their GP or GP Out of Hours service and arrange a test.

-The text message that is sent to close contacts will now advise every close contact that they should restrict their movements and if they show symptoms they should immediately contact their GP to arrange a test. Close contacts can also access our advice for them on this link https://hse.ie/cvdcc

 This temporary measure is being implemented in consultation with GPs, to ensure those who have symptoms are tested as quickly as possible and that we can continue to try to reduce the spread of the virus.

 

COVID-19 Vaccination Programme
The COVID-19 vaccine is here, and since 29^th December, the HSE has been giving the vaccine to people in the highest priority groups – frontline healthcare workers, and older people living in long-term care facilities.

 The COVID-19 vaccine will offer you protection from COVID-19. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine should also protect you from the serious complications of COVID-19. Our aim in offering the vaccine to the population is to protect people and reduce the illness and deaths caused by this virus.

 We have begun an information programme about the vaccine, starting with information for the first priority groups being offered the vaccine. Our information covers the topics that people told us were most important to them – when the vaccine will be available, who is in the priority groups, safety and long-term side effects, and how effective the vaccine is.

 We encourage everyone in Ireland to read about the COVID-19 vaccine and to get their information from a factual, trusted source – our website on www.hse.ie/covid19vaccine is a good place to start, and you can find our vaccine information materials at www.hse.ie/covid19vaccinematerials

 Our COVID-19 Vaccine radio ad started on 30^th December across local and national radio stations. Listen to it here.

 

Public Health Information
As always, for the most up to date information and advice on Coronavirus, please go to: https://www2.hse.ie/coronavirus/ and https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/. Clinical and professional guidance relating to COVID-19 is available on www.hpsc.ie where you’ll find up to date guidance for healthcare settings and non-clinical settings.

Please also check the Healthy Ireland site here with further resources and information on the Keep Well campaign.

 You can view the latest information on how Ireland is responding to cases of COVID-19 here.

 Ireland’s COVID-19 Data Hub is available here.