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The Minister for Continuing and Higher Education has said that while Level 5 restrictions are “having the desired effect” and the number of positive cases is shrinking, it is still “too early to declare victory”.
Speaking at RTÉ’s 2FM breakfast, Simon Harris said that while this action is being taken to try to ensure that people can have “some degree of normalcy at Christmas,” it is also about saving lives.
“If we had not taken this action, we would have seen many, many more of our citizens become seriously ill, and sadly we would have seen many more people die,” he said.
“And that’s not just an Irish situation, we are seeing it throughout the European Union now, we are seeing it in France and in Germany.”
Harris said “very encouraging signs” are emerging regarding a vaccine, and that governments around the world should put “strong plans” in place to ensure that when a vaccine is developed, “not a minute is wasted” on the implementation of those plans. outside.
“I think we can look to 2021 with some hope,” he said.
“There is not going to be a magic moment when we change the calendar to 2021 and Covid is gone … but it could be the year of the vaccine. What we are trying to do here is buy time and suppress the virus while we are waiting for better treatments. and a vaccine. It has to be about people’s lives. “
Harris said he believes the current period of restrictions is tougher than last March and April, and that people are “feeling a bit overwhelmed.”
He added that this “is not forever” and encouraged young people not to put their lives on hold. “There will be a day when this will be left behind,” he said. “Don’t stop making your plans, don’t stop dreaming about your future. There are still so many options out there.”
Meanwhile, the National Public Health Emergency Team will hold its weekly meeting today to review the latest Covid-19 trends.
A week has passed since the Level 5 restrictions to suppress Covid-19 were introduced in Ireland.
NPHET members will meet later to assess the current situation and compliance with the measures, which should remain in effect for another five weeks.
675 new virus cases were announced yesterday, the lowest number since October 9.
It means that the number of daily cases has been less than 1000 in five of the last seven days.
The 14-day incidence rate, the number of cases per 100,000 residents, has also dropped and is down from 300, to 299, for the first time in a week.
However, public health officials have emphasized in recent days that it is too early to say if definitive trends are emerging.
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The latest figures show that there are 327 people in the hospital with Covid-19, with 40 of these patients in intensive care units.
Meanwhile, Medical Director Dr. Tony Holohan has renewed his call for confirmed cases to self-isolate for 10 days after their diagnosis.
He also repeated his call for people with symptoms or waiting for a test or result to self-isolate as well.
Dr. Holohan said close contacts must restrict their movements for 14 days after the last meeting with the confirmed case.
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