The Department of Public Health Mid-West is encouraging people who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 to speak openly with contact tracers who are investigating what they call “complex and serious outbreaks” of the virus.
Health officials have expressed concern that some workers may be denying their colleagues are close contacts.
Public Health Mid West say they are concerned that some employees, particularly those in small workplaces or offices, may deny that their colleagues are a close contact out of fear that the worplace may suffer or be forced to close.
In their latest appeal to the public to double down on their efforts, they also say some young people are reluctant to admit that they have attended a social gathering, and who they came into contact with there.
Officials also report similar issues associated with multi-household outbreaks in housing estates and communities across Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary.
The Department has stressed that the process is strictly confidential and private, and that giving them full information helps them break chains of transmission of the virus.
Separately, the UL Hospitals Group and the HSE’s Community Healthcare team has confirmed Clare’s vaccination centre is ‘at an advanced stage of completion’.
It’s believed the West County Hotel in Ennis, along with Limerick’s designated centre in the Radisson Blu Hotel on the Clare border, will be ready for opening in the next number of weeks.
