Figures show that 10% of COVID-19 cases are nurses
Figures obtained by the nurses’ union INMO from the Health Service Executive (HSE) show that nurses account for almost 10% of the total number of people diagnosed with COVID-19 in Ireland.
According to the figures, 883 of the 9,599 cases diagnosed by 11 April were nurses, while 2,501 – or just over a quarter – were healthcare workers. The INMO says this is one of the highest rates of infection for healthcare workers in Europe.
Policy
The union has called for the introduction of a number of measures, including a universal face mask policy for all workers in healthcare settings.
It also wants more frequent and detailed publication of statistics on the infection of healthcare workers. INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said there was a need for a detailed breakdown to show the sources of transmission.
The INMO is also calling for updated guidance on personal protective equipment (PPE) and occupational health, to ensure healthcare staff are given enough time for self-isolation.
Speculation
Ms Ní Sheaghdha said greater clarity and transparency would prevent what she called “unhelpful, runaway speculation”, which she said had caused “great fears amongst our members and their colleagues in other professions”.