Public Health Measures
The following counties are at Level 3:
Donegal
Dublin
The rest of Ireland is currently at Level 2.
You can download a graphic of all of the levels here of the National Framework for Living with COVID-19.
COVID-19 Contact Management Programme Overview
You can view the updated information for the COVID-19 Contact Management Programme here.
HSE Webinar: COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control Guidance in Disability
This webinar will take place on Friday, 2nd October from 12-1pm. You can pre-register for the webinar on this link.
Irish dial in number: 01 5260058 Access code: 163 086 2572
HSE Webinar: The Role of Advocacy in Supporting Decision-Making, Particularly During COVID-19
This webinar will take place on Thursday, 8th October from 11am-1pm. You can pre-register for the webinar on this link.
Irish dial in number: 01 526 0058 Access code: 137 631 4962
Publication of New Visitation Guidance for Nursing Homes
The new COVID-19 Guidance on visitations to Long Term Residential Care Facilities is available here on the HPSC website.
Quitting Smoking and COVID-19
Research shows that those who smoke are more susceptible to all types of respiratory infections. This coming winter season it is more important than ever that we protect ourselves from flu and coronavirus. Just like flu, a coronavirus infection may be more severe in people who smoke. The good news is that quitting smoking helps build up your natural resistance to all types of infections including coronavirus.
That’s why, this October, which is Quit Month, we have launched a campaign to encourage people who smoke to quit by taking 28-day stop smoking challenge. You will see and hear Quit ads on TV, social media and on the radio for the month of October. We would we grateful if you could share information about the campaign with your networks and share our messages on your social media channels if appropriate. The HSE’s Quit Service is on-hand to give lots of practical support.
Get in touch with the Quit Service today
Twitter: @HSEQuitTeam
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HSEquit/
Instagram: hse_quit
Hashtag: #QuitandWin #TheLastStop
HSE and Irish Hospice Foundation Bereavement Support Line 1800 80 70 77
COVID-19 restrictions have changed the traditional ways we mark our grief. This means many people are facing bereavement in isolation. Many people have experienced and will experience the death of someone they love during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the face of such loss, the Irish Hospice Foundation Bereavement Support Line, in partnership with the HSE, has been launched to provide connection, comfort and support in these exceptional times.
National Breastfeeding Week (1st to 7th October) – COVID-19 and Breastfeeding
It’s National Breastfeeding Week 2020. This year the theme is supports for breastfeeding during a pandemic. The ‘Ask Our Breastfeeding Expert’ service on the HSE’s mychild.ie has seen an increase of 57% in queries over recent months. The team of lactation consultants provides advice to parents by message and live chat. You can find out more here.
Webinars on different breastfeeding topics are taking place over the coming week for healthcare professionals, breastfeeding supporters and families. You can access the details here.
Breastmilk has anti-infective and anti-inflammatory factors which helps babies to fight infections. There is no evidence that the COVID-19 virus is transmitted through breastmilk. Breastfeeding is encouraged as normal. Advice on breastfeeding if you have a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 is available here.
Launch of Healthy Eating Guidelines and Vit D for 1-4 year olds
The new National Healthy Eating Guidelines for one to four year olds aim to help parents establish good eating habits in their children. As we face into winter and the daily challenges that COVID-19 poses, feeding our children and indeed ourselves healthily will help our overall physical and mental health.
Developed by nutrition experts in Ireland and based on international evidence, the guidelines include a newly designed children’s food pyramid which will help people understand what their child should be eating, what portion sizes look like and how seldom treats should be given. They also include new advice for parents on Vitamin D for children aged one to four.
There is a suite of resources including the food pyramid for children, meal plans, etc available online to download here. Parents can also find information at www.mychild.ie/nutrition.
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 here for the most up to date partner resources for COVID-19.
You can view the latest information on how Ireland is responding to cases of COVID-19 here.