Rise in numbers in Kerry certified as having coronavirus or self-isolating

There’s been a rise in the number of people in Kerry this week who are medically certified as having coronavirus or who are self-isolating.

That’s according to details from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.

Over 7,700 people in Kerry are continuing to receive COVID-19 welfare payments this week, either the Enhanced Illness Benefit or the Pandemic Unemployment Payment.

The Enhanced Illness Benefit is paid by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection to people medically certified as having coronavirus or who are self-isolating.

There are 1,463 people in Kerry receiving that payment this week, an increase of 104 claiming it since last week.

The other COVID welfare scheme is the Pandemic Unemployment Payment, which is for employees and the self-employed who are fully out of work due to COVID-19.

This week €61 million was paid out across the country to 206,000 people, down 3,600 people since last week, and a 65% drop from the peak of almost 600,000 claimants on May 5th.

In Kerry, 6,262 people are getting the Pandemic Unemployment Payment this week; that’s down 96 on last week, and represents a drop of 71% from the 22,200 claiming it at the peak on May 5^th.

Among them are 139 people who have informed the Department they’re returning to work and have closed their payment this week.