Almost half of Cavan's Coronavirus cases in 'outbreak' settings

Almost half of all confirmed COVID-19 cases in Co Cavan (47%) have been traced back by the HSE to incidents of outbreaks.

In total, there are 292 cases linked to “outbreaks” of COVID-19 in Cavan.

In Monaghan, the number linked to outbreaks is even higher (69%), with 259 cases traced back.

The HSE says that, once an outbreak is detected, whether that's a residential or even healthcare setting, that those exposed “will be tested” and that this can lead to “increased detection” of cases in persons who may otherwise have not presented or be identified as symptomatic of the virus.

There have been a number of outbreaks of COVID-19 cases in residential facilities across CHO 1 area - which includes counties Cavam, Monaghan, Sligo-Leitrim and Donegal.

The HSE defines outbreak as where there is a “single suspected or single confirmed case” of COVID-19 in a resident or staff member “acquired” in a residential care facility. This definition, the HSE say, may change as the the COVID-19 Pandemic further evolves.

“We have put in place a range of measures to support nursing homes/residential care facilities in the counties of Donegal, Sligo/Leitrim, Cavan and Monaghan. These measures are aimed at keeping people where they are, in what's usually their home, unless there is clinical or Covid related risk which warrants the resident/s transfer from the unit/home,” a HSE spokesperson explained to The Anglo-Celt.

The HSE is refusing to provide details of individual nursing home/ residential care facilities at this time, noting that it is a “very sensitive time" for residents and their loved ones as given the high risk of susceptibility to COVID-19 infection.

“Vulnerable groups, including the elderly, will continue to be our priority as they are at greater risk from this virus and any actions that we take locally is in conjunction with public health and Infection control guidance and in the best interest of our patients and staff,” a spokesperson said.

Specific advice being provided to staff in such facilities includes management in respect of the isolation of residents with symptoms, cleaning, disinfection, hand hygiene and use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Staff are also being advised to stay away from work, if they have any symptoms which are suggestive of infection.

Cases of COVID-19 are reported to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) based on their place of residence.

The analysis above is based on 609 cases of confirmed COVID-19 cases (rate: 799.5 per 100,000 population) in Cavan and 373 positive cases (rate: 607.6 per 100,000 population) in Monaghan.

The latest dated, for which county by county figures are available, is April 28. As of Tuesday, there were 634 confirmed cases of Coronavirus in County Cavan and 393 positive cases in neighbouring County Monaghan.

A spokesperson for the HSE informed The Anglo-Celt that the rates “while high” for both counties Cavan and Monaghan, are in actuality “consistent” with their respective population sizes - for Cavan the population is 76176 and Monaghan 61386 (2016 Census of Population). “The rates are high but in terms of actual numbers of COVID-19 cases occurring in these counties, the actual number of cases is smaller than that seen in other counties,” said the spokesperson.

The Department of Public Health in the North East is meanwhile continuing to work with the HPSC to investigate “trends over time” in all the counties so build an evidence based response to the COVID-19 pandemic going forward.