COVID - Know when to self-isolate or restrict your movements

The public can help to turn the tide on Covid-19 in the coming weeks by knowing when they should self-isolate or restrict their movements.

That’s the message from acting Director of Public Health for the region, Dr Anne Sheahan, who is backing an interagency campaign on the importance of self-isolation or restricting movements when needed. The joint campaign comes from the HSE, an Garda Siochana,

Cork City Council, Cork County Council and Kerry County Council.

Dr Sheahan explained that there’s been a slow but steady drop in the number of cases of Covid-19 in the region in recent weeks, and there’s now a key opportunity to drive the infection rates as low as possible.

“We need to reiterate our message about staying at home in all cases if any of the following apply: If you’re concerned about any symptoms, stay at home and contact your GP; If you’re waiting for a test, or for the results of a test or of course if you have a positive test, then you must stay at home; If you’re the close contact of a case – stay at home; If you’re a case yourself – you need to stay at home, and stay in your own room.”

Dr Sheahan added that the Department of Public Health HSE South still occasionally encounters cases where someone is phoned with the news that their Covid19 test is positive, and they have been out and about in public places between being referred for a test and getting that result.

“You may feel fine and have no symptoms, but as soon as you are referred for a test, you and your household must stay at home. The people we contact who have positive results and who have not done this often feel incredibly guilty, as they may well have been spreading Covid-19 unnecessarily. Almost everyone receives a test appointment within 24 hours now, and results are sent back to you as quickly as possible. So please, for the sake of one or two days, self-isolate once you have been referred for a Covid-19 test. Don’t put yourself in a position where you have unknowingly spread the virus. Don’t be the one to pass it on. ”

Further information is on hse.ie/ coronavirus.