A significant update from the HSE.
The self isolation period for people who have tested positive for Covid-19 has been reduced from 14 days to 10.
The move was confirmed by the Health Service Executive and the Health Protection Surveillance Centre and issued to GPs today, RTÉ News reports.
The change in self isolation period is only valid for patients living in Ireland who have been without a fever for at least five days.
Close contacts of Covid patients must continue to restrict their movements for 14 days. Those returning from non-Green List countries must continue to self isolate for 14 days.
This comes following a sharp increase of cases in Dublin, an increase which the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) has stated should lead to stricter restrictions for the capital.
Team chair Professor Philip Nolan said recently that virus cases in Dublin have the potential to double every 14 days.
“We are seeing increasing case numbers in Dublin, growing close to 5% per day,” he said. “If this were to continue, the number of cases would double every 14 days.
“While the reproduction number for Ireland as a whole is close to 1.0, the reproduction number for Dublin alone is approximately 1.4.
“Given the size of Dublin’s population it’s essential we prevent any further spread now, by limiting our social contacts and taking precautions during any essential contacts.”
It has been suggested that household visits within Dublin will be decreased to six people from only two households.
Elsewhere, pubs not serving food are due to reopen on September 21 for the first time since March.
The government’s updated plan for living alongside the virus is expected to be published tomorrow.
