The Director of Public Health Midwest is predicting a significant increase in Covid-19 cases in the region over the coming week.
It comes as a third covid testing facility has opened in Clare today to cater for demand.
The seven day positivity rate of Covid tests has gone above 16 per cent for the first time since January.
During the Delta wave, the peak was at 15.6% last month and it’s now at 16.8%.
The Omicron variant accounts for two thirds of cases across the country and the Director of Public Health Midwest believes it IS the case that it’s the dominant strain in this region too.
Dr Mai Mannix has warned of a slight uptake in Covid-19 cases in the region, despite a stable period over the past few weeks.
She says outbreaks are occurring in every setting across Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary, and while the success of the booster programme has helped to reduce the number of cases in nursing homes, there are still some being recorded.
Dr Mannix is warning this is one of the biggest challenges faced so far in the pandemic.
It comes a new mass testing facility has opened in Shannon today.
The facility, run by RocDoc is one of three being opened across the country this week by the Irish testing company.
RocDoc’s Chief Executive, David Rock says the investment will provide a jobs boost for Clare, but also recognises the potential need for long term testing.
