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A prominent epidemiologist has warned that family gatherings during Christmas could lead to more Covid-related deaths in the spring.
Dr. Gabriel Scally said now is not the time for big gatherings and revealed that he will stop meeting his own relatives this Christmas.
It comes after the government announced a large-scale reopening of the country and the economy throughout December.
Dr Scally from the Royal Society of Medicine said: “If we have a very merry Christmas and meet a lot of friends and relatives, then I am afraid that in January and February we might as well be burying some relatives.
“That is the cruel truth of this virus. It is desperately dangerous and we must not let it rise again. “
But speaking on RTE Saturday with Katie Hannon, Dr. Scally said the end of the pandemic is on the horizon.
He added: “In the next month or two, we will start to see large numbers of people vaccinated, and why would anyone really want to risk going to social gatherings or large family gatherings right now? This is not the time. “
Dr. Scally’s concerns echo those expressed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) in a letter sent to Health Minister Stephen Donnelly ahead of Friday’s announcement of the lifting of restrictions.
Nphet warned that “if restrictions are now eased to a similar degree but more rapidly than in the summer … in winter and during the Christmas period, a third wave of diseases will occur much more quickly and with higher mortality than the second” .
Dr. Scally said that he would prefer that the Government take a more cautious approach.
He said: “I think when you’ve done well, there is a temptation to think that you can take your foot off the brake.
“The virus is so infectious and so dangerous that it can race again very, very quickly. It would be more cautious than the government has been with regard to December, particularly in the run-up to Christmas. “
While Dr Scally said that Ireland has done “exceptionally well” in the battle against the virus, he said that Covid-19 “is still circulating at too high a level.”
When asked about those who plan to travel home for Christmas, he replied, “This is not the time to do it.
“This is the time to show your love for your friends and family by keeping them safe.”
He said the effects of the virus will be magnified “because it is winter and people are indoors.”
He added: “They tend to keep doors and windows closed. That is absolutely creating the atmosphere that the virus loves. “
Announcing the reopening of the country on Friday, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said: “By easing restrictions, we go as far as we believe it is possible to achieve the best balance between health, economic and social considerations. But no more.
“The Government and I are pleased that this combination of new arrangements strikes a safe balance between keeping the pressure on the disease and creating a space for families, friends and loved ones to be together this Christmas.”
Meanwhile, the Health Department reported seven other Covid-19-related deaths and another 243 confirmed cases on Saturday.
It brings the total number of Covid-19-related deaths to 2,050 and the total number of confirmed cases to 71,942.
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