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Ministers and senior officials will continue their considerations today on what approach to take regarding the recommendation of the National Public Health Emergency Team to introduce Level 5 restrictions nationwide for six weeks.
A cabinet meeting is scheduled for tomorrow and a decision is expected at that time on what additional restrictions should be imposed.
The Health Department confirmed 1,276 new cases of Covid-19 yesterday, the highest daily increase since the virus emerged.
The 14-day national incidence rate per 100,000 population is currently 231. At the beginning of this month, this rate was just over 100.
Eight deaths were also reported. Of those deaths, five occurred this month, while two occurred in September and one related to June.
Medical Director Dr. Tony Holohan yesterday briefed all three coalition party leaders, along with senior ministers, on the proposal to impose Level 5 restrictions for six weeks.
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan later described the situation as “complex” with “so many different variables.”
“You have to do a lot of analysis,” he said. Ryan said the government shares NPHET’s concerns when looking at the numbers and increased incidence of the virus.
However, he said the government also has to “balance a whole range of areas”, including other impacts on society.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said on Twitter: “Jobs, livelihoods and lives in the balance. No direction, comment or guarantees from the government. Not good enough.”
He was asked if he would go to level 5 [if in government], she replied: “I would go where necessary to protect life and health.”
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