The HSE has issued a 48 hour Covid warning as cases continue to rise in Ireland, while a doctor has revealed how symptoms from the new Stratus variant tend to appear first.
Stock image of a woman with a negative Covid test(Image: Ben Birchall/PA Wire)
The HSE has issued a 48 hour Covid rule as cases continue to rise across Ireland – warning people to stay at home until two full days after their symptoms clear to help stop the spread of infection.
According to the latest Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) data, 446 new Covid cases were reported nationwide over the past week – up slightly from 427 the week before. The rise is largely being driven by the XFG (Stratus) variant, which now accounts for 86.7% of all known infections in Ireland.
Dublin saw the highest number of new cases last week (190), followed by Cork (104) and Louth (65). The lowest numbers were recorded in Longford (5), Leitrim (6) and Carlow (7).
The World Health Organization has classified Stratus as a “variant under monitoring”, noting that while it doesn’t appear to cause more severe illness, it spreads faster than previous strains – a pattern reflected in Ireland’s latest Covid figures.
Flu cases have also jumped, with 88 infections reported last week, more than double the 41 from the week before. Meanwhile, 17 RSV cases were confirmed, just one less than the previous week.
Dr Kader, who shares medical advice on TikTok as @ask.doctor.k, has warned that Stratus presents in a different order of symptoms compared to earlier variants – often starting in the ear, nose and throat before moving to the digestive system.
The doctor said: “Here’s what you need to know about the new Covid variant. It’s called Stratus or XFG, and actually the symptoms are a little bit different when compared to the previous variants. The new variant seems to be starting with ear, nose and throat symptoms, so most people are complaining about a really hoarse voice or a super sore throat. It also seems to present with more GI symptoms. A lot of people are complaining about nausea, vomiting, bloating [and] acid reflux.”
Dr Kader noted that while infections tend to be “milder”, Stratus is highly contagious, explaining: “You may have noticed that everyone is getting sick this week, and we’ve seen a huge rise in Covid cases in hospital patients, and part of the reason why infections are spreading fast is because the weather is changing, it’s getting a bit colder, people are staying indoors more and just passing the bugs to each other.”
To reduce the risk of infection, he recommended staying home until symptoms improve – advice mirrored by Ireland’s official Covid guidance.
The HSE is reminding the public to stay at home until 48 hours after symptoms are mostly or fully gone.
It warned: “If you have any symptoms of Covid and feel unwell, you should: stay at home until 48 hours after your symptoms are mostly or fully gone avoid contact with other people, especially people at higher risk from Covid. You do not need a Covid test unless a GP or health professional tells you to.”
The HSE is also urging the public to watch for all 18 recognised Covid symptoms, which include:
- fever (high temperature – 38C or above) – including having chills
- dry cough
- fatigue (tiredness)
- loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this could mean they’re completely gone or just different to normal
- nasal congestion (runny or blocked nose)
- conjunctivitis (also known as red eye or pink eye)
- sore throat
- headache
- muscle or joint pain (aches and pains)
- different types of skin rash
- nausea or vomiting
- diarrhoea
- chills
- dizziness
- shortness of breath or breathing difficulties
- loss of appetite
- confusion
- pain or pressure in the chest.
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