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10th Aug 2021

1,508 new Covid-19 cases reported in Ireland as over 700 pharmacies to administer Pfizer vaccine

Stephen Porzio

The CMO has said Covid-19 is circulating “to a significant degree in the community”.

There have been 1,508 new cases of Covid-19 reported in Ireland.

The figures released from the Department of Health on Tuesday did not contain information regarding deaths related to Covid-19.

The Department of Health’s statement said that the number of daily cases may also change due to future data validation.

As of 8am on Tuesday, 206 Covid-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 33 are in ICU.

In a statement accompanying the figures, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Tony Holohan said Covid-19 is circulating “to a significant degree in the community”.

However, he also stated that the public’s ongoing adherence to public health advice, the high levels of vaccine uptake, and the ongoing community engagement with testing centres around the country is “encouraging”.

“We continue to see good levels of cooperation with contact tracing and we must maintain this in order to break chains of transmission and keep our families and communities safe,” the CMO said.

“Until you receive a result and if you receive a positive result from a PCR test, it is essential that you isolate and cooperate with contact tracing teams so that your close contacts can be informed. If you are a close contact of a person who has tested positive for Covid-19, please come forward for a PCR test immediately if you have any symptoms or are not yet fully vaccinated to help stop the spread of this disease.

“If you are experiencing fever, cough, cold/flu symptoms, or loss of sense of smell or taste, please isolate straight away and seek a PCR test as soon as possible, either by contacting your GP or by booking a test online for one of the HSE’s Covid-19 test centres. This is also important for those who are fully vaccinated as you can still transmit Covid-19.”

Earlier on Tuesday, the Irish Pharmacy Union confirmed that the number of community pharmacies administering the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine will double this week to over 700 nationwide.

This is as the HSE extends vaccination to 12-15 year olds, in addition to people aged 16 years and upwards.

Around 320 pharmacies have already been administering Pfizer vaccines, among almost 1,000 pharmacies who have also been offering the Janssen vaccine.

Over 700 pharmacies had originally indicated their availability to administer the Pfizer vaccine and from this week on these will now receive stock to begin vaccinations.

It is anticipated that the Pfizer vaccine will now continue as the mainstay of the pharmacy-based campaign against the virus.

However, any remaining stocks of the Janssen vaccine can be administered to those over 18 in participating pharmacies until they are used up.

“Vaccination centres will continue to be a primary location for the administration of the vaccines to 12-15 year olds and pharmacies will strongly augment this, ensuring appropriate geographical access taking account of distance from vaccination centres,” a statement from the Irish Pharmacy Union read.

IPU Secretary General Darragh O’Loughlin said: “It makes a lot of sense for parents to be able to bring their children to a local participating pharmacy for vaccination, bringing children to a familiar environment which provides reassurance and convenience for families and young people and reducing the pressure to travel to a vaccination centre.

“Pharmacists are delighted to be making this essential service both accessible and convenient within their local communities, where they have always played an integral role in helping people to stay healthy and well, and it is wonderful to see such a positive community response in return.”

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