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Public Health Measures
We are experiencing an unprecedented surge in COVID-19 cases in Ireland.

Ireland is at level 5 restrictions. 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 we have administered a total of 121,900 Covid-19 vaccines (up to 20^th January).

The focus has been on residents and staff of Long Term Care Facilities (LTCFs) this week, with the aim of completing the first vaccinations by 24^thJanuary, though some locations may be slightly delayed due to outbreaks or other circumstances.

This week we have also begun to administer second doses of Pfizer – BioNtech vaccine for the first time.

The COVID-19 vaccination programme will be further accelerated as vaccines arrive, and it will involve a national partnership with GPs, Pharmacists and other healthcare professionals across Ireland.   

We encourage everyone to read about the COVID-19 vaccine and to get their information from a factual, trusted source – here are the links to the pages with information on the vaccine:

• Check hse.ie/covid19vaccine for information about the vaccine, information on this page is updated regularly
• Find the vaccine information materials at www.hse.ie/covid19vaccinematerials
• Details on getting the COVID-19 vaccine is updated regularly here
• Read the full COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy
• Read the National Immunisation Advisory Committee Chapter about COVID-19 vaccine
• COVID-19 vaccine information for health professionals 

Self-isolation and restricted movements
You can watch the latest self-isolation and restricted movements ad here.

Isolation quick guide: applying to those aged greater than 3 months and up to 13th birthday
You can find the guide here.

Isolation quick guide: adults and children from their 13th birthday
You can find the guide here.

New testing and self-isolation requirements for incoming travelers, including healthcare workers, to Ireland from Great Britain, South Africa and Brazil
Please find further details here.

Cleaning guidance for use in non-healthcare settings: General cleaning principles, and cleaning guidance when a person with COVID-19 has been in a setting
You can find the guidance here.  

COVID-19 web page for staff working in residential care settings
If you deliver care to older people in a residential care setting, please check out the new webpage: www.hse.ie/covidnursinghomeresources

This has been set up as a central point of contact for residential care facilities to access up to date clinical guidance, information and links to inform care and supports in these settings.

European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week
European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week runs from 18-24 January 2021. Our messages during this week will continue to highlight that HPV cervical screening is the best way to see if someone is at risk of developing cervical cancer in the future.

Due to the large number of COVID-19 cases in recent weeks, it may take longer for some people to get a cervical screening appointment. But people should still check the register on www.hse/cervicalcheck and if they are due an appointment, to book one with a provider, even if it’s a few weeks away.

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.

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.

Our Board and Staff wish the people, communities and businesses of County Longford an enjoyable festive season. Looking forward to 2021 and to working with and supporting you in many different ways. Our staff will be back on Monday 4th Jan. Please stay safe and adhere to Government Guidelines regarding Covid.

 

You can see the measures in place here

HSE COVID-19 Test and Trace is open this Christmas
When you need a test for COVID-19, our health service works hard to make this as quick and safe as possible for you. If you feel unwell on a public holiday, the weekend or in the evening, the GP out of hours service can refer you for a test too. The GP referral and test are both free of charge. Most people will get a test appointment within 24 hours.

Our new Test and Trace video is available here and sets out step by step how test and trace works.

 Our contact tracers will continue to call people who test positive for COVID-19 and trace their close contacts to give them public health advice throughout the Christmas and New Year. Contact tracers will advise close contacts to restrict their movements for 14 days and arrange a COVID-19 test. People who test positive and/or who have symptoms of COVID-19 must self-isolate in a room on their own and avoid other people. This will help stop the spread of the virus.

 GP out of hours services are available throughout the country at weekends and evenings this Christmas. You can find contact details for your local GP Out of Hours Service here.

 

COVID 19 Guidance for staff working in residential care facilities for older people
Guidance for healthcare workers and managers delivering care in residential settings for older people is available here. This section of the website has been set up as a central point of contact for residential care facilities to access up-to-date clinical guidance, information and links to inform care and supports in these settings.

Residents of nursing homes have been identified as a particularly vulnerable group. They have a significantly higher risk of contracting COVID-19 than the general population of similar age. Particular attention is needed when caring for Older People to support the prevention of COVID-19, identification of symptoms and clinical management of residents in these settings.

 

Keeping well this winter
The Keeping Well this Winter campaign has some further interviews aimed particularly at older and vulnerable people.

 You can watch Dr Vida Hamilton, HSE’s Clinical Advisor for Acute Hospitals chat to Daíthí and Sinéad on RTE’s Today show here. Vida has lots of advice on accessing routine and emergency healthcare services, the protective measures that staff have taken in healthcare settings along with what to do if you think you have COVID-19.

 Anne Rizzo, Regional Programme Manager Limerick City and County Council talks to journalist Eoghan Corry for a Senior Times podcast on the actions and initiatives of county council staff and volunteers around the country since the COVID-19 pandemic began. You can listen to Anne outline the councils’ Community Call initiatives here.

 Prof Martin Cormican, HSE’s Clinical Lead on Infection Control, talks to journalist Charlie Bird for a Senior Times podcast on keeping well this winter. Martin gives very good advice on when you might need antibiotics and why taking them when you don’t need them may do you more harm than good. He also chats to Charlie about the forthcoming COVID-19 vaccines. Listen the interview here.

 

Community Call supporting vulnerable people 7 days a week 8 am – 8 pm on 0818 222 024
If you are caring for people who would benefit from help with collection and delivery of essential items like food, ‘meals-on-wheels’, fuel or medicine or who are socially isolated you can call the Community Call line. Community Call has been significantly expanded to reach out to anyone who is vulnerable or isolated regardless of age or location. Community Call is supported by the HSE, An Garda Siochana, Local Authorities, An Post, charities and residents’ associations.

Call 0818 222 024 (open 7 days a week 8 am – 8 pm).

 

Thank you from the Frontline
This year has been a tough year for everyone. We’ve had ups and downs professionally and personally, but one of the enduring highs of this year has been how our friends, family, and the public helped us to do our job by staying in, washing their hands, keeping apart and following the advice of our public health teams. 

 For this we are truly grateful. Watch some of our healthcare staff thank those people in a video here as we continue our efforts to #StaySafe this Christmas.

 

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

Ireland is currently at Level 3.

 You can see the measures in place from 1^st December here.

 You can see the measures in place from 18^th December here.

 You can see the quick guide to the Christmas changes here.

 

COVID-19 Vaccine Information Survey: Do you have 10 minutes to help?
Scientists across the world are working to develop safe and effective vaccines for COVID-19. We expect some of these vaccines to be available in 2021. 

 The HSE is carrying out research to assess sentiment towards and understanding of a COVID-19 vaccine in the Republic of Ireland. This survey will give an understanding of current views and knowledge, and will help inform communications materials and information that will support people to make an informed choice about a COVID-19 vaccine.

 Your participation in this survey is voluntary and your responses will remain anonymous and strictly confidential. To conduct the survey, the HSE have partnered with Core Research, an independent market research company who are bound by a strict code of conduct not to identify individual responses which guarantees complete confidentiality.

 Please share this survey.  Please take the survey here.

 It takes 10 minutes to complete. The survey closes at 3pm on Friday, 18^th December 2020, and is anonymous. Your opinions are important to us and greatly appreciated.

 

Invitation to the HSE Staff Health and Wellbeing Christmas Concert
You and your colleagues are invited to join the HSE on Wednesday, 16^th December from 4-5:30pm to get in the festive mood at this year’s virtual Christmas concert. The HSE Staff Health and Wellbeing Christmas Concert 2020 is going to be an uplifting and enjoyable event with an exciting line up of song and music from health service staff across the country including the National Ambulance Service Band, the Dublin Gospel Choir and more surprise guests. Research has shown that there are many different physical, emotional, social, and psychological benefits associated with singing. This virtual webinar concert is part of the ongoing work to promote health and wellbeing under the Healthy Ireland Framework. To attend, please register 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.

This Social Enterprise training opportunity is available right now through the offices of Longford Community Resources. Places are limited. To book your place or for further information, please contact John Higgins on 087-2939846.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykqcJF3DwT4&t=25s

 

General Guide on the Management of COVID-19 Outbreaks in the Workplace
This HPSC guidance is available here.

 

Advice for People in the Community with COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and their Contacts
This HPSC guidance is available here.

 

Community Settings Webinar: Clinical Guidelines and PPE Usage 
Wednesday, 2^nd December 2020 (1-2pm). To attend the webinar please use this link here. Password: D7x@Khq*E3 (shouldn’t be necessary)

 

HSE Health and Wellbeing Webinar: Staying Connected in these times
Wednesday, 2^nd December 2020 (12 -1pm)

Guest speaker: Dr Eddie Murphy, Principal Psychologist

During this time of uncertainty when we are physically distancing ourselves from others due to COVID-19, our friendships and connections have become an even more important part of our lives – it’s important that we stay connected and keep talking about how we are feeling. We will go through some tips for how you can stay connected at work and with your friends and family in this period of uncertainty. We also want to share with you what others say has worked for them. You can pre-register for this webinar here.

 

Community Call Initiative
The “Keep Well” campaign, part of the Government’s Recovery and Resilience plan, is aimed at showing people of all ages how we can mind our own physical and mental health and wellbeing by adding healthy and helpful habits to our daily and weekly routines.  It will provide guidelines, information, and tips on things that will help us keep well through the coming months. All of this will be available on gov.ie/healthyireland

 The “Keep Well” campaign is focused on a number of themes including staying connected. Staying connected with people, addressing isolation, supporting volunteerism and initiatives that support person-to-person connection is important for everyone’s wellbeing.

 Building on the Community Call response earlier in the year, Local Authorities are being supported to provide a local community helpline and befriending service.  Working with partner organisations, including Local Development Companies, NGOs, Volunteer Ireland and An Garda Síochána, there is particular emphasis on identifying and supporting those most at risk of isolation. More information can be found here.

 

Irish Local Development Network – Local Development Companies as part of the “Community Call” and “Keep Well” Campaigns
The Irish Local Development Network of 49 Local Development Companies (LDCs) have been engaged in their communities offering a wide range of services as part of the “Community Call” and “Keep Well” Campaigns. With the support of the Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme (SICAP) and a number of other state funded programmes LDCs are inviting individuals in need of assistance to get in touch with their local development company:  www.ildn.ie/directory

 IDS-TILDA COVID-19 Report
The Intellectual Disability Supplement to the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (IDS-TILDA) is marking International Day of People with Disabilities with the launch of their report exploring the experiences of people with an intellectual disability during COVID-19 on Thursday, 3^rd December at 10:30am. You can register for the event 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 check here for the most up to date partner resources for COVID-19.

 Please also check the Healthy Ireland site here with further resources.

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

 Ir​eland’s COVID-19 Data Hub is available here.

Public Health Measures
Ireland is now at Level 5. You can see all of the measures that are in place at Level 5 here.

Face coverings or masks are superior to visors as a measure for prevention of transmission of COVID-19
The HSE would like to remind everyone that cloth face coverings or masks are superior to visors as a measure for prevention of transmission of COVID-19. Expert opinion and international guidance indicates that cloth face coverings or masks are more effective than visors.

There is evidence that visors reduce exposure to droplets to a certain extent compared with no face covering. They may be an alternative in certain limited circumstances including:
-People with breathing difficulties
-People who are unable to remove masks/face coverings without help
-Anyone with particular needs who may feel upset or very uncomfortable wearing the mask/face covering
-In settings where people who have learning difficulties or hard of hearing or deaf are present.

For more information, please see the HSE’s face coverings page and the Brief Evidence Summary: Efficacy of visors compared with masks in the prevention of transmission of COVID-19 in non-healthcare settings.

BreastCheck Screening Resumes
The BreastCheck programme resumed screening on October 27th, after being paused in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The new BreastCheck campaign, which starts on November 16th, highlights the restart of breast screening. The campaign provides information on some changes to breast screening appointments, including new COVID-19 safety measures, using text messages to confirm details of the appointment and asking those who can’t make their appointment to let us know. The ads will run on video on demand and YouTube with an animated video, as well as a radio ad on national and local radio stations. We encourage all those who are invited to attend for screening.

Traveller COVID-19 Resources
In response to COVID-19, resources have been developed nationally by the Traveller Health Units (THUs) and Traveller groups and are available on the Traveller COVID-19 Resources page.

International Men’s Day Webinar: Men’s Mental Health in these Challenging Times
The International Men’s Day webinar will take on the 19th November at 11am, and focus on men’s mental health in these challenging COVID-19 times. This HSE/Healthy Ireland webinar is in partnership with the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland and the Centre for Men’s Health in IT Carlow. You can register for the webinar 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.

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