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It is “likely” but not “inevitable” that the state will have to increase Level 4 restrictions to contain the spread of the coronavirus, a senior government minister said.
Continuing and Higher Education Minister Simon Harris said he expected the “Enhanced Tier 3” measures to have an impact on rising levels of transmissions.
The government announced on Wednesday night a nationwide ban on home or garden visits in almost all circumstances, except to provide care for children or the elderly and vulnerable people.
It has also announced that Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal will move to level 4 of the government’s Living with Covid plan from midnight Thursday through November 10.
Under Level 4, people must not have home visits, the maximum number of wedding attendees is six, non-essential retail stores will close, and all non-essential workers must work from home, said Taoiseach Micheál Martin while announcing the movement. He said construction and manufacturing will remain in proper condition.
Under the new restrictions for the 23 Level 3 counties, people will be able to gather in groups of up to six people from up to two households in outdoor settings away from home and garden while maintaining social distancing, including for exercise and eat. The existing exemption that allows club championship games to be played behind closed doors has been removed and sports teams will be told they cannot train unless social distancing is observed.
Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal will transition to level 4 of the government’s Living with Covid plan from midnight Thursday through November 10.
There were 1,095 new cases and five more deaths reported in the state by the National Public Health Emergency team (Nphet) on Wednesday.
This is the highest number of new confirmed cases in one day, as the previous high of 1,515 on April 10 included a large backlog of pending work from German laboratories.
Speaking at the Newstalk breakfast on Thursday, Harris said that he was very concerned about the growing number of Covid-19 cases, but that he was not “buying into” the idea that it was inevitable that the country would have to move to level 4. ” We can get through this. “
People must now make decisions. Stop gathering in groups, stop socializing, stop organizing play dates, parties, and other social activities.
People must recognize that # COVID-19 it is a direct threat to them and their families. Now is the time for each of us to act. https://t.co/82FHhhY99o
– Dr. Ronan Glynn (@ronan_glynn)
October 14, 2020
Today, we are again reporting a new number of confirmed cases of over 1,000. This situation is extremely worrying.
Each of us needs to reduce contact with other people, which is why that means staying home, working from home whenever possible, physical distancing, and discretionary stopping of socializing. https://t.co/JIs4OXFw7n
– Dr. Tony Holohan (@CMOIreland)
October 14, 2020
If everyone followed three specific measures, then Tier 3 could work, Harris said. The measures were for people to work from home; to reduce home visits and to cover your face.
Mr. Harris said that if necessary the Government would take more action, but he hoped that following the improved Tier 3 measures would work.
Minister of Continuing and Higher Education Simon Harris. Photography: Julien Behal
Covid-19 testing
HSE Director General Paul Reid has said the health service can carry out the target of 100,000 Covid tests per week and had performed 103,000 tests last week with 99,000 lab results completed in the same time frame.
“We will always meet the demand (for tests),” he told RTÉ radio’s News at One. More than 15,000 tests are being carried out per day, with a figure close to 18,000 today, he said.
But the best lines of defense were what the public could do, he added. His actions could deplete that ability, he warned.
Funding was not a limitation, but everyone was concerned about hospitalization numbers that were beginning to impact non-Covid care. This, in turn, will mean that the demand for intensive care beds will increase.
There is a real concern about winter services in hospitals. All health workers were very concerned, he said. They don’t want to be the last line of defense. Now a call to arms has been issued to the public to protect health workers.
In the event of a surge, the system accommodated 350 to 360 intensive care beds. The use of post-operative and high dependency beds could expand that. However, some hospitals were already using their response capacity, he said.
The growing number of nursing homes was also cause for concern, but it would be impossible to “put a ring of steel” around nursing homes. Once again, it was up to the public to modify their behavior.
From left to right, Eamon Ryan, Micheál Martin and Leo Varadkar at the government buildings Wednesday night. Photography: Tom Honan / Julien Behal Photography / PA
Border
Dr. Colm Henry, HSE’s clinical director, told Newstalk Breakfast that there was an increase plan in place, if necessary, hospitals would reduce other activities, which can protect an increase of up to 350 critical care beds, beyond of that not being the same quality of service ”.
He said that Border was not being used as a measure, that the focus was on the communities and some communities were “on the other side of the border” and that transmission in the community had to be broken.
In announcing the new restrictions on Wednesday, the Taoiseach said there were “concerns regarding the full implementation of Level 3,” including people entering the workplace, slipping into retail and personal services, and people going to the houses of others.
Mr. Martin said, “I know how difficult this is for everyone and I understand the deep frustration people feel.”
“We are on a journey with this virus and we have reached a difficult point on that journey,” Martin said. He said the number of infections is “too high.”
He said the data from Northern Ireland is “enormously worrying” and that discussions with Stormont will continue in the coming days.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said: “We know that much, if not most, of Covid transmission occurs in private homes.”
“Sometimes people associate that with house parties, but it’s not just that,” he said, and said they were family gatherings and friends who came for a drink or a cup of coffee. “
“All those things have to stop,” he said.
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