The National Public Health Emergency Team warn that level 5 COVID-19 restrictions may not be enough to curb the virus.
Public health experts have warned that the Level 5 restrictions imposed by the government may not be enough to curb the current transmission of COVID-19. Additional measures may be required.
In light of the deteriorating situation and growing number of people testing positive for COVID-19, NPHET gave a stark warning.
There is no alternative than to suppress transmission of this virus.
Close contacts of confirmed cases are no longer being advised to get tested. They are being advised to restrict their movements as the testing system reaches capacity. NPHET has also said that there may be up to 4,000 positive tests in the community that have yet to be reported.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan warned that people need to operate on the basis that we are all infectious.
If you are a close contact of a confirmed case, you must restrict your movements.
The R number, which is the rate at which the disease reproduces, is now at the highest it has been since the beginning of the pandemic. Professor Philip Nolan, Chair of the NPHET Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group, says that the number of cases is already so high that there are delays in reporting.
Despite surging case numbers, Minister for Education Norma Foley said it is the government's full intention to reopen schools on 11 January.
In a letter to the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, Dr Tony Holohan said that schools should reopen as planned. Still, the rising number of cases will need to be brought under control to avoid further disease transmission.
Childcare facilities are due to reopen on 4 January. Teresa Heeney, CEO of Early Childhood Ireland, is calling for the rules to be brought in line with those for schools.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 31 December 2020. The reporter is Laura Hogan.
