Covid-19 Ireland Case Warning – Dr Ronan Glynn and Government Update As Situation Worsens

There were severe warnings tonight about the Covid-19 situation in Ireland as cases continue to rise.

Health chiefs continue to express concern about the continued increase in cases in Dublin, as the capital remains the epicenter of the virus.

254 new cases were confirmed Wednesday night, 136 of them in Dublin alone.

Tragically, another three people have died from the deadly virus, while the number of cases in Irish hospitals has also risen in recent days.

The latest warnings come in the wake of releases of the government’s ‘Living with Covid’ long-term plan, which has been subject to much scrutiny.

The plan has five tiers, each of which depends on the prevalence of the virus and the restrictions will be changed accordingly.

Currently all counties have been placed at level 2, however Dublin faces some more severe restrictions given the resurgence of the virus in the capital.

The capital is not quite at level three, but not quite at level two either, it is somewhere in between for now.

However, there are still fears that Dublin will soon face even more severe restrictions in the coming days.

Here’s what politicians and experts have to say:

Acting Medical Director Dr. Ronan Glynn

Speaking about today’s figures, Dr Glynn said that the situation in Dublin and Ireland has deteriorated and issued a warning on three other counties.

He said: “Along with Dublin, we have seen particularly worrying trends in Louth, Waterford and Donegal.

“It is now absolutely essential that people follow public health advice and act as if they or their loved ones are potentially infectious.”

Professor Philip Nolan

Professor Nolan, chair of NPHET’s Irish Epidemiological Modeling Advisory Group, echoed Dr Glynn’s concerns about Dublin.

He cautioned that we could 500 to 1,000 cases per day by October if current trends continue.

“The number of reproduction is between 1.3 – 1.7 nationally. I am more concerned than at any other time since the end of April.

“The number of cases appears to be growing exponentially and is likely to double every 10 to 14 days if each of us does not act immediately to break the chains of transmission of the virus.

“If we don’t interrupt the transmission now, return the r number below 1, the model shows that we could have 500-1,000 cases per day by October 16, of which 50-60% would be in Dublin.

Minister of Higher Education Simon Harris

Although he now works in a different department, Minister Simon Harris often still provides updates given that he was Minister of Health at the height of the pandemic.

Speaking on the latest trends, he urged the public to change their behavior to curb the virus saying, “Public health experts could not have been clearer. Covid-19 is not where we need it to be.

“It is up to each one of us. No one else can do it for us. It is not easy, but it is essential. So, as Professor Nolan said, think about how many contacts you had last week and half this week.”

“We can’t back down. We know what to do. We know what works: Quick and decisive action. Keep your physical distance.

“Wear a face cover. Wash your hands properly and often. Reduce contacts. Now familiar measures that we must redouble. The alternative is unbearable and much worse.”

Dr. Colm Henry, Clinical Director, HSE

Speaking about hospitalization figures, Dr. Colm Henry said: “There are currently 73 COVID-19 patients in the hospital, 9 of them have been admitted in the last 24 hours. 14 of these patients are in the ICU.

“We are seeing a sharp increase in the rate of admissions for COVID-19 patients in our acute care hospitals. We know that without a reversal of these trends, admissions can rapidly escalate to the point where our healthcare facilities will be under unsustainable pressure. .

“It is more essential than ever that we all adhere to the basic measures that can weaken the virus in the community.”