Dr Pereira added: “We are asking you all to make the necessary changes to help drive down the rate of transmission of the virus:
• Testing: If you have symptoms of COVID-19 you should isolate and book a PCR test online or contact your GP.
You can book your test here https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/covid19/testing/get-tested/
You should NOT take an antigen test. Antigen tests should be used only by those without symptoms as one of many measures to mitigate against COVID-19.
• Mask Wearing: You should wear a mask when you are in crowded outdoor or indoor environments, including in shops, on public transport, in cinemas and theatres. It is very important that face masks are worn properly, covering the area from nose to chin.
• Hand Washing & Respiratory Hygiene: Ensure regular hand washing and practice good respiratory hygiene.
• Ventilation: Let fresh air circulate in your area by opening windows, doors and air vents as much as possible.
• Social Distancing: Keep your distance and avoid crowded places where you cannot social distance.
• Social Contacts: Please at least halve your social contacts for the next 4 weeks”.
The Department of Public Health North East, Midlands Louth Meath Community Healthcare and Louth County Council are concerned about the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases in Louth and are appealing to the people of Louth to adhere to the public health advice.
Dr Augustine Pereira, Director of Public Health North East said: "The latest figures, covering the 14 day incidence from the 2nd November to 15th November, reported the electoral areas in Drogheda Urban with an incident rate of 2415.4 cases per 100,000 of population and Drogheda Rural with an incident rate of 1963.5 cases per 100,000 of population. This is equivalent of saying if 40 people were tested in Drogheda in the past 14 days, we picked up 1 case. If we consider a longer timeframe, we are nearing levels of 1 out of every 20 people testing positive in past month. COVID-19 infection is everywhere, so now is the time to protect yourself and protect one another. If you are unvaccinated, your risk of serious infection is high, so please avail of the vaccination now."
“It is important that as a community we work together to help bring the rate of transmission down. With such levels of transmission, we all have to take personal responsibility. We must layer up our defences so that the virus has less opportunity to infect us and the people around us. We layer up with vaccines, maintain social distancing, mask wearing, regular hand washing/sanitising, managing our contacts, isolating when symptomatic, avoid crowds, meet outdoors and maintain good ventilation.”
“People in all age groups are at risk of becoming seriously ill due to COVID-19. We are hopeful we will break the chains of transmission in the community with the help of the public adhering to the public health guidelines.
Des O’Flynn, Chief Officer at Midlands Louth Meath Community Healthcare Organisation said: "Small changes, by all of us, will make a big difference collectively. Together, we can break the chains of transmission and bring down disease incidence. We must continue to stick to the basic public guidelines as practising hand hygiene, mask wearing, social distancing, as well taking a test if you display symptoms and of course, getting a vaccine if you haven’t had one yet. Working together, we can protect ourselves, our loved ones and our communities from this virus.”
Joan Martin, Chief Executive of Louth County Council said “Louth people have a great community spirit and are fantastic at looking out for each other. We need to protect each other and get the numbers down. We have done it before and we can do it again.”