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The number of daily Covid cases has “bottomed out” and we can now expect the numbers to start rising again, the medical director warned.
The National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) has already warned that daily cases could rise to between 800 and 1200 in the second week of January if there are a large number of social gatherings in the coming weeks.
Dr. Tony Holohan said this is still a “plausible scenario” and cases have already increased slightly in recent days.
“We believe that we have passed the low point, we have seen a slight increase of 13% in the last week,” said Dr. Holohon.
“The five-day average is now just under 290 cases, so that’s still a lot. We think we’ve passed the low point and at a fairly high level and much higher than we would like.”
Dr Holohon also said that he had passed through Dublin city center on Sunday and it was “busier than I thought”, however he believes there is still a high level of compliance with Covid guidelines.
He made the remarks when another 242 cases of the virus were confirmed. Ireland now has the lowest incidence rate in Europe both in terms of the last 7 and 14 days.
Meanwhile, the Taoiseach said Ireland will be “ready” to launch vaccines before Christmas if European authorities speed up the approval process.
Speaking in Cork, Micheál Martin said: “If the European Medicines Board advances its date, that is her business and we will be ready for it at any event.”
However, Dr. Holohon said that the date they are still working towards approval of any vaccine is at the end of this month.
The authorization is carried out in the name of this country by the European Medicines Agency, the first authorization is not expected to take place before the 29th of this month.
“The vaccine plan is working to ensure that once we have clearance for a vaccine or vaccines, and we hope that it will arrive quickly with respect to a series of vaccines, that is a position to begin to implement them and administer them to the public in a way. prioritized, ”he said.
The vaccine working group met again yesterday, and Dr. Holohon stated that the group is still on track to have a fully developed plan by Friday, when it should be delivered to the government.
It comes as one of the largest unions representing teachers has written to the Taoiseach asking it to consider prioritizing teachers, SNAs and other school personnel for the launch of the Covid vaccine.
The Irish National Teachers Organization (INTO), which represents primary school teachers, wrote a letter to the Taoiseach describing their concern that Mr. Martin would have a “fixed view” of the essential workers to whom the Covid vaccine first.
“INTO unequivocally recognizes that vulnerable people, the elderly and healthcare workers must be the first in line to receive a Covid-19 vaccine,” read the letter, which was signed by John Boyle INTO’s secretary general.
“However, considering that the government and Nphet have expressed their opinion on the move to level 5 that schools should remain open as an essential service, it is correct that educational personnel are recognized as essential workers in the future.”
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