Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said the rising spread of Covid-19 should act as an “alert” and he cannot guarantee that most restrictions will be lifted on October 22 as previously planned. Speaking at Government buildings last evening, he said that rising numbers are a “matter of concern” and the disease has “taken the wrong turn”. Mr Martin said that a final decision will be made closer to October 22, but declined to say when. “We’re going to engage with public health authorities and the HSE in the coming days in the lead up to next week. His comments come as Health Minister Stephen Donnelly is currently self-isolating after experiencing symptoms of Covid-19. He has tested negative for the virus but will continue to self-isolate until he is free of symptoms. Due to Minister Donnelly’s situation the rebranding ceremony at Tipperary University Hospital that was scheduled for Friday, 15th October at 11 am has been postponed.
Announcing another 2,066 cases of the virus yesterday, Dr Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, said the spread of Covid-19 among the 370,000 people who are not yet fully vaccinated is having an impact on the numbers being admitted to hospital and ICU. There are 408 Covid-19 patients in hospital today, an increase of six since yesterday. Of these, 69 patients are in intensive care, a fall of four. The HSE has seen a rise in the positivity rate among people in the community coming forward for testing, rising to 10pc.
For updated and factual Public Health information and advice on COVID-19 Coronavirus, please visit hse.ie/coronavirus or call 1800 700 700
For the latest information on the Covid-19 Vaccine Programme, please visit hse.ie/covid-19-vaccine
