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A Monaghan GP has asked the government to consider a two-week “circuit breaker” to stop the spread of Covid-19, which was now “out of control.”
Dr. Illona Duffy told RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland that her practice had noticed in recent days an increase in the level of calls from symptomatic patients, some of whom were “quite ill.”
The demographic age of the patients was much broader this time compared to the first wave in the spring, he said. This time it was “pan-generational” from babies to adults and seniors.
The people had been meeting with family members and transmitted the virus while asymptomatic, he said.
Dr. Duffy predicted that there would be a dramatic increase in cases in the coming days and warned that this would put pressure on GP services and that access to general, non-Covid services would be compromised.
Ireland recorded its highest number of daily cases since the pandemic began on Tuesday. 1,546 Covid-19 cases were confirmed, as well as nine additional deaths.
There has also been a sharp increase in hospitalizations, with the number of people hospitalized with the virus surpassing 400 yesterday for the first time since May.
A two-week breaker could see a sharp drop in cases, Dr. Duffy suggested.
In a tweet Tuesday night, Dr. Duffy said: “I fear the Covid numbers in the next few days.
“It is clear from the level of phone inquiries from patients who report being symptomatic close contacts, that Covid-19 is currently out of control. Is it time for a full 2-week lockdown to stop the spread? I think so.”
A previously unscheduled government meeting will be held later today, after the record of cases and hospitalizations.
The cabinet will discuss whether to completely shut down the country for up to six weeks or even longer.
Ministers will consider re-introducing the 5km limit for non-essential travel and the ban on home visits, and whether to close non-essential retail.
In his speech this morning, the Minister of Public Expenditure, Michael McGrath, said that we are living in troubled times and that the Government will have to respond to the situation of the growing number of Covid.
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