THERE has been a recent surge in the number of young children in Ireland contracting coronavirus.
Newly released figures from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HSPC) show that 10 more children under the age of four were diagnosed with Covid-19 over a three day period last week.
It brings the total number of children aged four or under in Ireland to be diagnosed with the virus to 227.
Thankfully however, the HSPC confirmed that no child in that age bracket had been admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU).
Over the same three day period last week, 14 children aged between five and 14 also tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases in that age bracket to 395 since the outbreak began.
In this demographic, two patients had been admitted to an ICU, though there had been no fatal cases.
It's been observed that Covid-19 tends to affect the elderly more than it does young people, but over the last few weeks, there has been a rise in the amount of confirmed cases among younger people.
Of the 57 new cases confirmed in Ireland on Monday, 70% of the patients were under the age of 45.
During a press briefing earlier this week, acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn urged the country to continue its efforts as a whole to halt the spread of coronavirus.
"People in Ireland coming together to support one another against Covid-19 has been the cornerstone of the national effort to date," he said.
"While people in Kildare, Laois and Offally are being asked to reduce their movements and social interactions, and some businesses are being asked to curtail their services, it is important that we remember that everyone across the country has a role to play in minimising the spread of this disease in our communities."
