DUBLIN: The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) says Halloween celebrations in Ireland could worsen the COVID-19 situation. It is estimated that there will be 1,800-2,500 COVID cases and more than 400 hospital admissions per day on Halloween. Three deaths and 1205 COVID cases were confirmed yesterday.
The virus spread has been also high in border counties, where the fourth level restrictions came into force. Cavan has the highest 14-day incidence rate per 100,000 at 639.3. The rate of infection is 367.5 in Donegal and 206.7 in Dublin.
Prof. Philip Nolan, Chair of the Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group commented that the virus is uncontrollable. The Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tony Holohan said that the most disappointing thing was that people’s behavior had not changed even in this situation.
Prof. Nolan said they are concerned about the significant increase in cases across the country. “The growth rate is 5% to 6% per day. The estimation was 4%-5% per day, with exponential growth and small changes, in 12 to 14 days, for the country as a whole, we estimate reproduction and hospitalisations increasing exponentially,” he said.
Prof. Nolan said the modeling shows that if the widespread continues at this level, it will reach 1,800-2,500 cases per day by October 31st. The increasing incidence of patients aged 18-24 years also raises concerns, he added.