Don’t take Communion if you want to avoid f lu, warns HSE

THE HSE is advising Mass-goers to avoid receiving communion on the tongue as part of their anti-flu education drive.

The executive’s health protection surveillance centre, the HPSC, said it strongly discouraged receiving Holy Communion on the tongue, adding that ‘if it does occur, priests or Ministers of the Eucharist should clean their hands using an alcohol-based hand gel’.

The centre adds: ‘When influenza circulation in communities is high, if Holy Communion is to be shared, those attending should be given the option of declining to drink from the chalice when it is offered.’

After reports that some parishes had put a halt to the sign of peace during Mass to prevent the spread of influenza, the HSE concluded that the shaking of hands involved a ‘low risk’ if those who are unwell don’t go to Mass/Church while they are ill.

‘We suggest for the moment that the Sign of Peace may be continued, but that on each occasion, the priest gives the congregation permission to carry out an alternative Sign of Peace that does not involve hand contact (such as smile/nod/bow) if so wished (as those with risk factors/or with individual health conditions may not wish to give/ receive the Sign of Peace).

‘The practice of shaking hands on greeting and departure at church gatherings may need to be stopped temporarily for both clergy and laity.’

Meanwhile, emergency departments will experience the same pressures this month as they did in January when levels of overcrowding were at historic highs, the HSE said yesterday. The INMO counted 12,201 people waiting on trolleys last month – 18% more than January 2017 and almost double the figure ten years ago. This flu season is expected to rage on for another seven weeks, a HSE media briefing heard yesterday.

Influenza has claimed the lives of 55 people so far this winter – up from the 34 recorded last week.