Coronavirus
Updated: Mar 30, 2020
Symptoms of coronavirus
It can take up to 14 days for symptoms of coronavirus to appear. The symptoms are usually like flu or viral symptoms which can be mild or moderate.
Common symptoms of coronavirus include:
a cough - this can be any kind of cough, not just dry
shortness of breath or breathing difficulties
For people who get infected with coronavirus:
80% will have mild illness and make a full recovery within a few weeks
14% will have a more severe illness
6% will have a critical illness
Protect yourself and others from coronavirus
Coronavirus is spread through droplets- sneezing or coughing. To infect you, it has to get from an infected person's nose or mouth into your your mouth, nose or eyes
It’s important to wash your hands properly and often.
Restricted movements and self-isolation
To help stop the spread of coronavirus everyone has been asked to stay at home. But some people may need to do more than this.
You may need to either:
Testing
All tests ordered before 25 March have been cancelled apart from tests for healthcare workers.
Anyone who has already been tested will get their results. But there are delays because of the high demand.
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for coronavirus.
Most people who catch coronavirus will experience mild symptoms. The majority of people will make full recovery without needing to go to hospital.
If your symptoms get worse and you feel very unwell please contact us at 016674984
At-risk groups and coronavirus
There are some groups of people who may be more at risk of serious illness if they catch coronavirus. But we do not think these groups have a higher risk of catching coronavirus. This is similar to other infections such as flu.
People in these groups will be prioritised for tests if they have symptoms of coronavirus.
Pregnancy and coronavirus
When you are pregnant, your body naturally weakens your immune system. This is to help your pregnancy continue successfully. It means that when you are pregnant you may pick up infections more easily.
All pregnant women should get the flu vaccine. This will protect you and your baby from the flu, not from coronavirus.
Children and coronavirus
Encourage your child to wash their hands regularly and properly.
Follow this advice to prevent your child from catching or spreading viral infections.
Read this for information on how to care for a child in self-isolation.
Download these comic strips which explain how coronavirus testing works to young children.
Travel and coronavirus
Arriving to Ireland from another country
If you do not have symptoms of coronavirus
You will need to restrict your movements for 14 days if you return to Ireland from any other country.
You do not need to restrict your movements if you:
return to the Republic of Ireland from Northern Ireland
are an essential supply chain worker, for example, a pilot, haulier, maritime staff member
If you have symptoms of coronavirus
If you develop symptoms of coronavirus, you will need to self-isolate and phone your GP. Please do not present to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. We will assess you over the phone. If we think you need to be tested for coronavius we will arrange a test through our online system.
Travelling to another country from Ireland
Avoid all non-essential travel to other countries until 19 April.
Pets and coronavirus
There is no evidence that pets such as cats and dogs can catch or spread coronavirus.
Interpreting service for deaf people
Deaf Irish Sign Language users can get information about coronavirus using Irish Remote Interpreting Service (IRIS).
IRIS is available from 9am to 7pm, Monday to Friday and 10am to 4pm on Saturday.
