Minister would seek advice on how to keep schools open if Ireland goes to level 5

The education minister says that if the country goes to level 5 of the Covid-19 restrictions, it will seek public health advice in relation to schools that remain open.

It comes amid warnings from the medical director that the country’s contact tracing system cannot keep up with the number of infections.

Cavan, Donegal and Monaghan entered Level 4 last night, while a national ban on home visits also went into effect.

NPHET informed the Health Department Wednesday that schools are not expanding their case numbers.

Minister Norma Foley says schools remain a safe place to be.

“There has been an absolute determination to keep our schools open,” he told Newstalk.

“But it is very important to say that at Level 5, of course, we would follow the public health advice available at that time.”

It was reported yesterday that Ireland could face 1,800-2,500 cases a day and more than 400 people in hospital before Halloween, according to the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet).

The virus is “out of control” across the state, according to Dr. Philip Nolan, with another 1,205 cases announced along with three more deaths.

In the Nphet statement announcing the Covid-19 figures, Dr. Nolan said: “Modeling shows that if current trends continue, by October 31, the number of cases reported daily would be in the range of 1,800 to 2,500 cases with more than 400 people in the hospital.

A growing concern has been observed in people aged 18-24, where the incidence rate is three times higher than in the next age group.

Nphet members said they were incredibly concerned about the trajectory amid data showing that people’s behavior has not changed.