The State's chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan has advised people to distribute Halloween treats to trick-or-treaters outdoors if possible to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

He made the request as the National Public Health Emergency Team reported a further 2,549 cases of the virus and the highest infection rates amongst five to 12-year-olds.

Dr Holohan said that while Covid-19 vaccines give high protection against severe illness, hospitalisation and death, the way to break transmission was to follow public health advice.

Hospital Report

He said in a statement released by the Department of Health that people could enjoy their "favourite Halloween activities safely" by taking some simple precautions.

Covid’s fourth wave: if not new restrictions then what is plan B?

---

Schools ‘are safe places for our children’, says Taoiseach

---

Longford town has highest rate of Covid-19 in the State

---

New restrictions can be avoided if numbers remain stable, says Varadkar

---

“If you are having visitors over, provide hand sanitiser, open windows and try to ensure that people spread and keep their distance from one another - avoid crowded parties,” he said.

“For trick-or-treaters, give out treats outdoors if possible. Wash or sanitise hands frequently and before eating or handling treats.”

Dr Holohan advised that children should not go trick-or-treating or meet others if they have symptoms of Covid-19 and they should isolate and get a test, even if symptoms are minor.

There were 481 people in hospital with Covid-19, compared with 457 a week ago. There were 97 were in intensive care, up from 90 a week ago.

The seven-day average of new cases stands at 2,139 a day, up from 2,026 a week ago.

Earlier this week, the National Public Health Emergency Team expressed concern at the increase in the incidence rate of the disease in children aged between five and 12.

On Wednesday, Dr Ronan Glynn, the deputy chief medical officer, said that Nphet was watching infection rates in this age group "very closely".

“We will focus on that age group over the coming days to see if there is anything else that needs to be done over and above what’s currently being done,” he said.

Dr Glynn advised parents not to let children mix with multiple groups of children when they were trick-or-treating this weekend.