DUBLIN: The Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Ronan Glynn, warns that easing restrictions too quickly could result in another wave of COVID-19. Dr. Glynn says easing the restrictions should be gradual and phased, with sufficient time between phases to assess the impact.
Dr. Glynn noted that the State is making significant progress in terms of virus control and vaccine administration. However, he says the infection rate is very high and that the number of people who are fully protected through vaccination remains low. “The priority must remain on maintaining control over the disease, until vaccination can offer a widespread population level of protection,” he said.
Dr. Glynn made clear that the NPHET will continue to closely monitor Ireland’s epidemiological situation in the coming weeks in order to assess the impact of reopening essential services and easing restrictions.
Dr. Glynn believes that the vaccination roll-out, decline in case numbers, and resumption of essential public services such as schools, give more reasons to remain optimistic during the pandemic.
It has been learned that the Deputy CMO will issue a warning to politicians today about the “considerable risk” of easing restrictions too quickly. Dr. Glynn will also inform the Oireachtas Health Committee on the country’s progress in disease control and vaccine administration.
No deaths, 394 new cases confirmed yesterday
In a statement the NPHET said that a further 394 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed yesterday in Ireland. No further deaths were reported in the country.
175 cases were registered in Dublin, 34 in Kildare, 21 in Galway, 21 in Mayo, 20 in Limerick, and the remaining 123 in 18 other counties.
The total number of confirmed cases in Ireland now stands at 241,330. The death toll from COVID-19 remains at 4,785.
As of yesterday morning, there were 227 COVID-19 patients in the hospital, with 50 in the intensive care unit.
As of 10 April, 1,058,394 doses of COVID-19 vaccine were administered in Ireland. 745,363 people received their first dose, and 313,031 received their second dose.
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