“Right now, we don’t believe so.”
The Government do not believe currently that the recent rise in Covid-19 cases will impact the further reopening of society, according to Health Minister Stephen Donnelly.
The Minister made the comments to Virgin Media News following 994 new cases being reported in Ireland.
About the increase, he said: “We’re taking it very seriously. We’re not surprised. We obviously had warnings that this was going to happen.
“We knew cases were going to start rising, the Delta variant obviously is much more contagious than anything we’ve had before.
“So, about 1,000 cases tonight – it will be about the same tomorrow we think.
“Hospitalisations have gone up, they’re still low but they’re moving quickly enough”.
The Minister also said that ICU admissions were “moving up” but that they still remained “very low”.
He also urged those with Covid symptoms to self-isolate and book a test and asked those not yet fully vaccinated to continue following public health guidelines.
Despite the rise, Donnelly stated that the return of international travel will “go ahead” next week but with provisos agreed two weeks ago by government.
“If you’re fully vaccinated or you’re recovered, obviously go but the travel advisory from a public health perspective is if you’re not, to still avoid non-essential travel,” the Health Minister said.
Asked if further reopenings due in the coming weeks and months will be affected by the increase in case numbers at this point, Donnelly replied: “Right now, we don’t believe so.
“The vaccine programme really is going from strength to strength and between following the public health measures and the vaccine programme, we’re going to be pushing back on this virus.”
Earlier on Thursday, it was announced 25 to 29-year-olds can register to receive an MRNA Covid-19 vaccine at a vaccination centre from tomorrow (16 July).
“We’re accelerating the programme more… and really encouraging everyone who hasn’t yet taken up that offer [of a vaccine] to do so,” Donnelly added.
“It’s so important against this variant.”
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