INMO calls for increased isolation periods of health workers who are COVID-positive

DUBLIN: The Irish Nurses & Midwives Organisation (INMO) has called for an extension of the self-isolation period for COVID-positive health care workers.

The INMO says the period of self-isolation for many health workers is seven days. But the union claimed that it is 14 days for the general public and that healthcare staff should be given the same duration.

INMO’s comment comes as the number of health workers contracted by COVID-19 continues to grow in Ireland. Statistics from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) indicate that nurses are the most affected by the Coronavirus among health workers.

Figures from November 21 show that nurses account for almost a third (32%) of all cases of COVID-19 healthcare workers, and 4% of all new cases.

Last week, 2583 COVID-19 cases were recorded in Ireland, where 353 (14%) cases were registered among healthcare workers, with 114 (4%) among nurses.

Since March, a total of 71028 cases have been registered in the country. In this, 11679 cases were confirmed in health workers, with 3523 were among nurses.