NPHET considering the close contact limit after blocking

Public health chiefs are considering a cap on the number of close contacts people can have when the country exits the blockade.

National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) President Dr. Cillian De Gascun said they would consider the “specific numbers” of contacts allowed when Level 5 restrictions are eased.

But he said such measures would not automatically rule out the reopening of pubs and restaurants.

With the number of cases declining, Ireland is expected to exit Tier 5 restrictions on December 1.

Dr. De Gascun said, “Nobody wants to go through Level 5 restrictions intermittently. That’s not really helpful to anybody.”

He added: “The challenge is to identify what the number of close contacts will be because we want R0 to be ideally below one, and the problem is if we are seeing, for example, three close contacts versus four close contacts, which could change the balance from an R0 from below one to above one.

“We need to focus on what we want to prioritize as a society and then what we can do from a discretionary perspective.”

On the subject of pubs and restaurants, Dr. De Gascun said that a limit on close contacts would not necessarily preclude the reopening of those social settings.

“We will have to look at what are the high-risk environments and the low-risk environments,” he said.

“It all comes down to wanting to live most of our life in a safe way and at the same time preventing cases from spreading dramatically like they did in October.”

In the meantime, Ireland will follow the UK in introducing a mandatory 14-day self-isolation period for people arriving from Denmark following a Covid-19 outbreak in the country’s mink population.

Northern Ireland introduced the measure on Saturday morning and Prime Minister Arlene Foster spoke with the Taoiseach about implementing a joint approach.

Transport Minister Eamon Ryan has now confirmed that the Republic will also introduce the measure.

He said: “People will have to isolate themselves for 14 days, whatever happens. People who come from Denmark, there are not a large number, but we are following the health advice, similar to what happens in the UK. “.

A mutated form of coronavirus in mammals, which are widely raised for their fur, has led to a nationwide slaughter in Denmark and sent parts of the country into lockdown.

While the mutated strain is not believed to be more dangerous, public health officials fear it could undermine the effectiveness of a future vaccine.

However, Ryan admitted that self-isolation will not be applied and people will be trusted to follow the guidance themselves.

“We have to do it, that’s the approach we have taken. If we have to change that, we will see that. This continues to evolve in all aspects of how we manage Covid-19,” he told RTE.

“We will treat Denmark differently. We will not provide European exceptions. The same standard European approach will not apply to Denmark.”

Writing on Twitter, Ms. Foster said, “Today I spoke with the Taoiseach and our Minister of Health about working together to protect people in both jurisdictions.

“Denmark’s development is very worrying. It is important that we work together to keep everyone safe.”

Dr. De Gascun has minimized the immediate risk from the mutated strain.

“I don’t think we should be worried at this point,” he said.

He added that it did not make sense that the mutated strain was “more virulent or severe,” but said it could potentially affect the efficacy of a vaccine.

Northern Ireland Medical Director Dr Michael McBride said: “Self-isolation for anyone who has been to Denmark is a mandatory requirement and applies to all members of the household.”

“This is an emerging picture and a precautionary approach is required at this early stage.

“We are in close contact with public health colleagues in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland.

“UK authorities are working closely with international partners to understand the changes to the virus that have been reported in Denmark. An additional research program in the UK will inform the risk assessments.”

There have been five more Covid-19-related deaths in Ireland and 335 additional cases confirmed on Saturday.

There are now 284 patients in Irish hospitals with the virus, of which 40 are in intensive care units, figures released by the Health Department on Saturday show.

Medical Director Dr. Tony Holohan has praised the public for its efforts to reduce the number of infections, but urged them to remain vigilant.

He said: “The commitment to the spirit of the public health council shown by people across Ireland since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic is commendable.

“This includes wearing a mask where social distancing is difficult, in stores and on public transportation.

“They are a key element of our defense against this virus, in addition to staying home and avoiding meeting people outside of their home.”