HSE chiefs have said that detecting coronavirus in eldelry patients is particularly difficult as they don't often show obvious symptoms.
Nursing care homes are currently the major concern of health bosses amidst this coronavirus pandemic in Ireland.
And one reason for that is patients often not showing any obvious signs that they are carrying Covid-19.
HSE CCO Colm Henry said at a briefing on Sunday morning: "This virus is very transmissible and contains a particularly high level of mortality among older frailer people.
"The presentation in such people is sometimes unusual, not typical in the sense of fever or cough or respiratory symptoms but can present is someone going and not eating properly and reduced mobility.
"And those who are already immobile and frail that signs can be so unnoticeable as to be undetectable."
According to the WHO, the immune system doesn't function as efficiently in older adults as it does in younger people.
The body's fever response to infection is not always automatic in elderly people.
That is why the HSE is ramping up its testing in care homes as they look to put a stop to the high infection rate in nursing homes.
Dr Colm Henry said they are focusing on three different groups to ramp up testing.
The three groups are;
- Healthcare workers and residents at a setting of a known outbreak.
- All healthcare workers and residents at a setting where there has been a new case.
- Healthcare workers in the nursing home sector.
This is to find cases early and “break the transmission early”.
Dr Henry says there are “signs of stabilisation” over recent days in hospitals.
The CCO at the HSE said the “greatest challenge” right now is tackling the outbreaks in nursing homes.
