DUBLIN, Ireland: Nearly 1,500 people were hospitalized in Ireland with COVID-19 during October, according to new data. Nursing homes and hospitals continue to see the most cases, the Health Protection Surveillance Center (HPSC) reported for weeks 40 to 43 — the first three weeks of the month.

However, infections have dropped sharply compared with the summer, when cases surged to nearly 600 per week.

Last week, 221 new Covid cases were confirmed. Of these, 98 patients needed hospital care; there were no ICU admissions and no new deaths. In the earlier weeks of October, 10 deaths were recorded in week 40, followed by three each in weeks 41 and 42.

The latest Integrated Respiratory Virus Bulletin notes that COVID-19 remains at low to moderate levels, with an overall incidence of 4.3 per 100,000 people. Cases fell 37 percent from week 42 to week 43, and hospitalizations also declined. Hospital bed occupancy by COVID-19 patients has continued to decrease.

The XFG variant is still dominant, accounting for over 83 percent of cases from weeks 36 to 40, while NB.1.8.1 made up nearly 14 percent.

There were 15 outbreaks reported last week, and 91 since October 1. Nursing homes were hit hardest earlier in the year with almost 300 cases in late April, but that number has now fallen to about 50 per week. Hospitals have consistently seen 25 to 50 instances weekly.

Covid cases were lower earlier this year — under 200 a week through spring — but rose to almost 600 a week by late August. This month, numbers have dropped again, averaging between 150 and 300 cases.

People aged 65 and older remain the most affected, followed by those aged 45–64 and the 15–24 age group. ICU admissions have stayed low throughout the year, and weekly deaths remain in single digits.

Dublin has had the highest number of cases in October, followed by Cork, Louth, Kildare, Kerry, Limerick, Galway, and Tipperary. Laois has had the fewest.

The Health Service Executive said county-level data on deaths is not released due to low numbers and confidentiality rules. It also noted that official figures may underestimate the real number of COVID-19 cases because of reduced testing.

Meanwhile, flu activity has increased slightly but remains below baseline. During week 43, 144 cases of influenza were recorded, up from 119 the week before. There were 24 hospitalizations and no ICU admissions or deaths.