DUBLIN: HSE Chief Executive Paul Reid warned that there could be up to 3,000 COVID-19 cases per day in Ireland when the testing system catches up with reported cases.
Earlier, NPHET had warned that more than 9,000 additional cases will be reported when the system catches up on this week’s cases.
Paul Reid said that the health service is on high alert as cases of Coronavirus are on the rise and the contact tracing and testing system in Ireland is addressing the growing coronavirus infection in the community.
The HSE chief advised people to reduce contacts and stay home to protect themselves in the coming days and weeks.
Pre-school services will be delayed
Meanwhile, the reopening of pre-school services will be delayed until January 11, in line with schools, as the spread of COVID-19 increases.
The Minister for Children, Roderic O’Gorman said yesterday that the resumption of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Scheme would be postponed to allow more time for families to reduce their contacts.
More than one lakh children are currently enrolled in ECCE schemes which are distributed across 4,000 services across the country.
However, Minister O’Gorman asked creches operating as private businesses to reopen as planned from January 4 to provide childcare.