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Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has said the number of Covid-19 cases has increased tenfold in the past two weeks compared to July.
Speaking at the Dáil, Mr Donnelly told TDs that in the last two weeks, for every 100,000 people living in Ireland, we have had 35 new cases.
“At the beginning of July, there were only three cases per 100,000 inhabitants, which represents an increase of more than ten times,” he said.
He said that although the country is not at the levels we saw in April and May of this year, “we are on an upward trajectory and it is cause for concern.”
“It is important to note that the recently introduced national measures are working. The first slowed down the upward trajectory and then began to stabilize it, “he said.
In the last fortnight, health officials have been notified of 1,900 new cases and, tragically, four deaths in the last two days.
“The number of cases that were reported to us recently has been on the rise in recent weeks. The five-day average, which we watch very closely, is now 175 cases per day, ”Donnelly said.
The Government was subjected to harsh criticism from the Opposition TDs during the session on Covid-19.
Dáil was informed that in the last two weeks, more than 50% of the newly identified cases have been close contacts of a confirmed case.
Just under 40% of cases in the past two weeks have been group-related. An additional 145 new clusters were notified from last week through Saturday, September 5.
There has been an increase in the number of clusters identified across the country with fewer associated cases, such as private households.
Labor leader Alan Kelly was deeply critical of what he called Donnelly’s kite flying.
“Just throwing these things away is not good. It’s bad. It’s maddening, it has to stop,” he said.
Kelly said: “Simon Harris walks like a minister emeritus of health … he doesn’t give him too much space, but I’m sad to say, in a way I’m glad he is, because at least there is some projection of confidence and consistency.”
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