It was one of the first casualties of the pandemic. But this year the spoof is back as the country celebrates St. Patrick’s Day. But just as excitement increased, so did the number of Covid-19 cases. There are concerns that the celebration will increase infections further.
The higher the number of circulating Covid-19 cases, the more likely you are to come into contact with an infected person if you are in a company with large groups of people.
“As cases increase in the community – as they are doing at the moment – so does the risk,” said UCD virologist Gerald Barry. The likelihood that people in a pub or restaurant will contract the virus will increase.”
In many cases, people can shed the virus, even if they have only mild symptoms — or no symptoms at all.
If someone feels they may be at higher risk, one option is to avoid staying indoors and be served outside.
Control yourself
Advice to pub or restaurant customers is to exercise self-control. In the days of the Covid-19 pass, it was said that if the card was not checked, take it as a sign of poor infection control and turn away.
A lot of vigilance has passed now but good practices like ventilation are more important than ever. So a few basics need to be re-examined, including ventilation and sanitation as well as how packaging managers allow locations to be.
Street lining
How risky is it to stand in a crowd and watch the parade go by? Outdoors the risk is very low but it increases if people are pushed against each other. Dr. Barry suggests that people can wear masks.
“If someone is vulnerable or anxious they should wear a mask,” he said. “If (you) go into a crowded environment there is more risk than a sparsely populated area.”
Do an antigen test
If you are meeting other people, you should do an antigen test at home first. However, if you have possible symptoms – and even if the antigen test is clear – it is helpful advice to stay home.
Risk assessment
Dr. Barry said most people at this point have a clear understanding of pandemic safety. He said that with the lifting of restrictions, it would return to individual risk assessment.
However, it is clear from daily observations that people have become more comfortable about mitigating measures such as wearing masks.
But with more Covid-19 around the virus will find more vulnerable people. Unvaccinated people are still at higher risk, and they are among those still hospitalized with complications from the virus. Those who are immunocompromised should invest in a more advanced respirator.
Healthy people who can be fully strengthened can still transmit the virus to vulnerable people and should wear a mask in solidarity with more vulnerable people in areas where the potential for virus transmission is high. than. The BA.2 Omicron sub-variant is all the rage here right now and is one of the reasons behind the rise.
Look further
About 500,000 people over the age of 16 have not yet received the Covid-19 booster vaccine. The St Patrick’s Festival is the first of a number of major calendar events throughout spring and summer to enjoy.
Hospital doctors are relying on booster vaccines when the severity of the disease is significantly reduced. So booster shots are a way to get more protection as 2022 unfolds with a return to normal.
https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/festivals/st-patricks-day/as-st-patricks-day-festivities-gear-up-and-covid-spreads-heres-how-to-stay-safe-41449058.html As St. Patrick’s Day festivities roll in and Covid spreads, here’s how to stay safe
