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Health officials from the government’s crucial Covid advisory group are expected to discuss Cork’s move to Level 3 restrictions when they meet Thursday to discuss the increase in cases across the country.
Cork is among several counties with high infection rates in the country, and NPHET has repeatedly warned in recent days that the increase is of grave concern.
But even if NPHET recommends that Cork be moved to Level 3, it will be up to the cabinet to make the final decision.
NPHET holds its weekly meetings on Thursdays, when it reviews the latest data from its key modeling advisory group.
When asked today if stricter restrictions would likely be recommended for multiple counties tomorrow, Acting Medical Director Ronan Glynn said he could not speculate before Thursday’s meeting.
“We can all see the data; it remains to be seen whether or not recommendations are required tomorrow or shortly or not,” he said.
But Glynn tacitly hinted that the possibility of Level 3 restrictions would be discussed for several counties that have seen a rising incidence of the virus in recent days, including Cork.
“We have sent clear messages about Cork, Galway, Monaghan, Roscommon recently. But things change very fast here with this,” Glynn said.
“There is no county that has not had cases in the last 14 days, and there is no county that is not experiencing an increase in incidence, although some counties are relatively stable, but in general all counties, sadly, are in the wrong address, “he said.
The Health Department confirmed tonight that there were 60 new cases of coronavirus in Cork, nearly 14% of the total 429 cases seen across the country.
It is the second day in a row that Cork has had the second highest number of cases in the country after Dublin, which had 129.
Today, 31 new cases were reported in Donegal, which were moved to Level 3 restrictions last week.
Today’s figure in Cork is higher than 40 yesterday and 27 the day before.
Tomorrow’s NPHET meeting comes after Glynn dispelled speculation that areas outside of Cork City could escape a move towards Level 3 restrictions.
Speaking ahead of a special Covid-19 Oireachtas Committee meeting in Dublin, Glynn suggested that NPHET would continue to recommend countywide restrictions.
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