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Dublin could face additional restrictions from Covid-19 following a spike in cases in recent days.
With government sources indicating that stricter restrictions are expected in border counties within days, the capital is also under scrutiny following a resurgence of infections in the past three days.
The incidence of the virus in Dublin appeared to stabilize last week, but since Saturday there have been more than 200 cases a day, according to medical director Dr. Tony Holohan.
The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), meeting Thursday, would be watching the situation across the country and “would have to be careful how we assess Dublin,” he said.
“We cannot conclude that we have turned the corner in Dublin, even if we can see that the growth rate is different than it was,” he told NPHET in Monday’s briefing. “We don’t have anything like the evidence. I would like to be able to conclude that the situation in Dublin is stable enough.”
The Government is not going to wash your hands or put on a mask
Earlier, when briefing opposition parties together with Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Dr. Holohan warned TDs that the figures regarding Dublin are “not yet conclusive” and that this could cast doubt on the effectiveness of current measures. Level 3 that are current.
Throttle
With widespread and accelerated community transmission, it was not possible to document all infection patterns and measures targeting the entire population were needed, according to Dr. Holohan. More deaths in nursing homes are also likely if this pattern continues, he warned.
Dr. Holohan said he would like to see “encouraging signs” in the trends for Thursday’s meeting.
He stressed that the first line of defense against the virus is individual behavior, he said, adding that “the Government is not going to wash your hands or wear a mask.”
The three party leaders discussed increasing the number of cases in some border counties on Monday, while the government’s Covid-19 oversight committee also met.
Dr. Tony Holohan, Medical Director: “We don’t have anything like the evidence. I wish I could conclude that the situation in Dublin is stable enough.” Photograph: Colin Keegan / Collins
Sources say an announcement is expected on Thursday about the increase in border counties to Level 4. Under Level 4 restrictions, people will not be able to visit each other’s homes, gyms and leisure centers will be closed and the number of weddings will be reduced to six. The oversight committee will meet again on Wednesday, prior to the next day’s NPHET meeting.
DTs questioned Mr. Martin and Dr. Holohan about the delays in the approval of the rapid test kits. It is understood that Dr. Holohan told the opposition parties that he had received a document on antigen testing, but wanted to review it and test its validity.
Middle Ages
One more death from Covid-19 and 825 new cases were reported on Monday. The new cases included 254 in Dublin, 147 in Cork, 39 in Cavan and 38 in Donegal. The average age of the cases is 30 years.
In Northern Ireland, three more deaths and 877 new cases were recorded as Stormont’s Executive Ministers considered whether a six-week lockdown should be introduced to stem the dramatic rise of the virus there.
The Executive is expected to meet on Tuesday, with evidence of new tensions among ministers on how to tackle the soaring rise of Covid-19.
Sources say public health chiefs have recommended that Northern Ireland enter an imminent six-week lockdown and that another six-week lockdown may be required in the new year.
On the other hand, the Taoiseach has promised to consider a proposal by the Social Democratic co-leader Róisín Shortall to maintain “summer time” and not change the clocks at the end of this month. Ms. Shortall said at the meeting that this would bring more daylight in the evenings and make it easier for people to get out for exercise and sunlight.
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