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Public health officials have told the government that the Covid-19 situation in Ireland is now the most serious since the pandemic hit in March.
Current measures designed to suppress rising infection rates will not be enough to reduce cases below 1,000 per day and a complete lockdown should take effect starting on St. Stephen’s Day, the National Public Health Emergency Team said. (Nphet).
It occurs when the Republic will begin to enter a Level 5 lockdown with “specific adjustments” starting at 3pm today on Christmas Eve.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly told the Irish Times that newer variants of the virus from South Africa and the United Kingdom, combined with a rapid increase in infection rates in all age groups, mean that “it is the most serious since I assumed the position of Minister of Health “.
He said people should be “very cautious” and “think very carefully” about meeting vulnerable family members at Christmas, especially if they have been socializing.
Under the new restrictions that will go into effect on Christmas Eve:
- The current home visiting rules remain in effect until Valentine’s Day and then are reduced to another home until December 31.
- Between counties is allowed until December 26 inclusive.
- Christmas religious services may take place, but will move online after December 25.
- Travel restrictions from Great Britain remain in effect until December 31.
- Restaurants and pubs that serve food close from 3pm on Christmas Eve.
- Hairdressers and personal services close from Christmas Eve.
- Non-essential retail can remain open.
- Gyms may remain open for individual training. The 5km limit will not be implemented, but people are encouraged to exercise close to home.
In a letter sent to the government on Wednesday, Nphet recommended a complete Level 5 lockdown for six weeks starting on St. Stephen’s Day, with the closure of non-essential retail stores and an earlier ban on home visits.
Authorities confirmed that a new and more infectious variant of the disease identified in the UK is now circulating in Ireland, and tracking samples taken last weekend suggests that it may be present in about 10 per cent of swabs tested. .
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ronan Glynn said the situation is now more dire since last March.
The current epidemiological situation is the most serious since last March. The disease has spread throughout the country and in all age groups. At all times act as if you, or the people you come in contact with, are infectious with # COVID-19
– Dr. Ronan Glynn (@ronan_glynn) December 23, 2020
However, medical director Dr. Tony Holohan said he does not think the new variant is driving the recent surge in cases.
The chairman of Nphet’s epidemiological advisory group, Professor Philip Nolan, said that the relaxation of restrictions on hospitality “coincides with a very rapid acceleration in the level of disease.”
The R number, an estimate of how fast the virus moves through the population, is currently estimated to be between 1.5 and 1.8.
Professor Nolan said he did not believe the current measures were enough to bring the number below 1 and said the number of cases of around 1,000 per day will continue.
Nphet confirmed another 938 new cases of Covid-19 and 13 additional deaths on Wednesday night.
It comes as a senior HSE official also warned on Wednesday that the coronavirus situation in Ireland is deteriorating at a faster rate than anywhere in Europe.
Clinical director Dr. Colm Henry said the infection rate is “terrifying” and the curve is moving in a “near vertical direction.”
Ireland
Level 5 Lock: Christmas and New Years in Ireland …
His analysis came as HSE CEO Paul Reid warned of “serious and dangerous” transmission levels that could lead to a “massive increase” in hospital admissions after Christmas.
In the north, 21 more deaths and 787 new cases of the virus were confirmed on Wednesday, as the new UK variant was also confirmed in the region.
Health officials are understood to believe the strain has been circulating at a low level in Northern Ireland for several weeks.
The development came as Northern Ireland prepares to enter a new lockdown on St. Stephen’s Day.
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