Warning over Covid outbreaks at weddings amid summer surge in cases

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre confirmed 650 Covid cases had been reported as of last week, making it an increase of 48% compared to 440 in June.

Across the country, 306 patients were diagnosed with Covid which is an increase of 62%.

Twenty outbreaks have been associated with acute hospitals, 14 outbreaks in nursing homes and 12 in other residential institutions.

The JN.1 Covid variant in Ireland, which is reported to be most dominant including its descendants nicknamed FLiRT, have been reported here.

Virologists use FLiRT to describe a number of different variants descending from JN.1 — KP.2, KP.3, JN.1.7, JN.1.1, and KP.1.1.

To date, intensive care admissions due to Covid have remained stable during this wave and there is no evidence of a more severe strain.

People are advised to look out for symptoms of the virus and try to prevent the spread. 

If you have symptoms, stay at home for 48 hours after your symptoms are mostly or fully gone. You are advised to avoid contact with other people, especially people at higher risk from Covid.

According to American university John Hopkins, FLiRT doesn't appear to have any new specific symptoms and the infectiousness period remains the same as JN.1 and previous Omicron variants, however it does not pose any more of a threat than previous strains.

Find out more information HERE.