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As Covid infection rates decline, public health experts have warned that despite the current lockdown, it is impossible to avoid continued restrictions over Christmas.
The latest figures released yesterday by the Health Department reported two more deaths and 542 new cases.
This brings the number of people who have died with Covid-19 to 1,947, while the total number of infections in the state is 65,394.
Anthony Staines, a professor at DCU Health Systems, said that although the infection rate is declining, the reopening in December will lead us back to another lockdown.
“If we continue with an aggressive program to control this virus, we could eliminate the circulation of the virus in January and we could recover our economy in February.
“If we don’t, what will happen is that the cases will decrease in November and the first weeks of December and then they will start to increase.
“Christmas socializing is important and it is important, but the more virus circulates when we do it, the riskier it is.
“Probably in February we will return to where we are now.”
Professor Staines criticized the national response in terms of establishing effective contact tracing.
He said that although Christmas will be difficult for politicians to maneuver, “the Government is there to give leadership.”
“Europe has made this a breakfast for dogs. Europe is a disaster zone ”, he added.
“Nigeria’s public health department has less money than Dublin’s public health department and they have managed to control the virus.”
Junior Minister Robert Troy did not provide any clarity yesterday on the restrictions that may exist at Christmas, saying the situation would remain “under review.”
“Honestly, I can’t say here today, in terms of what will happen at Christmas.
“Just to say that the Government with Nphet, with the public health councils, are constantly reviewing the situation to ensure that we can open the economy as much as possible in December, and to ensure that we can have such a good Christmas.” as possible under the circumstances. “
Dr Nuala O’Connor, Senior Advisor to the Irish College of General Practitioners on Covid-19, said this year the focus will be on a “safe” Christmas.
“I think we all have to think carefully as a society about how we are going to manage Christmas this year.
“Christmas is really important in Ireland. What we have to do is try to focus on how we can have Christmas, but in a safer way.
“Yes, Christmas will be a little different because if we try to have it the normal way, if there are too many people gathered in closed, crowded and poorly ventilated spaces, that is exactly where this virus loves to spread.
Nphet president Cillian De Gascun said over the weekend that the team was considering introducing a cap on the number of close contacts people will be allowed on Christmas.
Sinn Féin TD Kathleen Funchion said the government needed to provide more clarity to allow people to plan for the holiday season and then say what it will be like.
“For the last few weeks, people were told they had to go to Level 5 to save Christmas. Now we’re seeing that it’s going to be very restricted anyway.
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