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The executive director of the Health Services Executive will tell the Oireachtas Special Covid-19 Response Committee today that even if a vaccine is developed, Ireland will face the virus for a long time.
Paul Reid will say that the country must adapt its way of life through a combination of behavioral, social and health changes.
He warned that the health service must wait and plan for the next waves of Covid-19.
It will tell politicians that a “community first” approach will be critical to providing safe, efficient and effective services during the winter months.
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Mr. Reid will also tell the committee that all flu vaccine shipments are expected to be delivered before the end of October and that sufficient doses have been secured to vaccinate all at-risk groups.
It warns that a difficult winter season, coupled with a Covid-19 resurgence, is the worst possible scenario for health services.
Mr. Reid will tell the committee that the HSE is meeting all the demand for testing and that Ireland is one of the few countries that automatically tests close contacts for positive Covid-19 cases.
The HSE is also looking for additional equipment, including the use of robots to increase home testing capacity and response times, it will also say.
Mr. Reid will note that hospital admissions are increasing, with 108 patients admitted to the hospital with Covid-19 and 17 confirmed cases in the ICU.
He will also point out that the patient profile that has characterized the resurgence of the disease has been lower, but will say that this will change unless community transmission is controlled.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly will appear before the committee tomorrow morning.
Warning for four counties
The acting medical director has highlighted four counties where people must be particularly vigilant and follow public health advice.
Dr. Ronan Glynn said the virus incidence rate is increasing particularly fast in Cork, Galway, Monaghan and Roscommon counties.
The Covid-19 incidence rate in Ireland, the number of cases per 100,000 inhabitants, is now 88.
An additional 390 new cases of the virus were announced last night, and while the infection rate in Donegal and Dublin remains the highest, Dr. Glynn noticed a rapid increase in cases in Cork, Galway, Monaghan and Roscommon.
He said that while the overall population size in the last two counties is smaller, it stands out for the speed at which the situation is deteriorating.
He urged people around the world to follow public health advice.
Meanwhile, a survey of more than 1,600 people conducted yesterday for the Health Department found that 51% of people believe that the worst of the pandemic is still ahead, the highest figure reported since April.
The level of concern among people now stands at almost seven out of ten.
Dr. Michael Power, a member of NPHET and consultant in Intensive Care Medicine at Beaumount Hospital in Dublin, has said that Covid-19 is unpredictable, relentless, and relentless.
It can target all ages and should not be underestimated, he said.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Dr. Power said that it is understandable for students and young adults to get together and mingle, but that this is a growing medium for the virus and gives it a chance to spread.
He reiterated that public health guidelines must be followed, adding that “simply being outdoors does not protect.”
He said that although the average age for Covid-19 admissions is 59, it is an indiscriminate virus “in its selection of a patient to affect very severely.”
Dr. Power said he does not believe there is a blanket decision to stop scheduled care.
He said it was important that this scheduled care continue because it has an impact on patients in terms of their outcomes and quality of life.
Dr. Power added that the two capabilities – dealing with covid and keeping scheduled care on track – need to be developed and strengthened in parallel.
He said the Beaumont ICU is not currently busy with Covid-19 patients, but understands that up to 19 coronavirus patients are currently in ICUs across the country.
Additional reporting Laura Hogan
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