Mark Coughlan

Prime Time

Ireland has entered the Delta wave with a significant proportion of the population vaccinated

Delta wave: What's known about likely hospitalisations?

Ireland is entering the Delta wave with a lot of people vaccinated. We all know this wave will be different, Mark Coughlan explains. But how different will it be?

Prime Time • 22 Jul 21

The Lambda variant was first detected in Peru in August 2020

From Lambda to Iota - what we know about Covid variants

In recent weeks, the focus has been on the Delta variant. But scientists are constantly monitoring emerging mutations, Mark Coughlan explains. What do they know about others?

Prime Time • 10 Jul 21

NPHET's modelling assumed a step change in social contact from 5 July

What do NPHET's models really say about a fourth wave?

The pessimistic scenarios presented by NPHET this week won't come to pass. Using modelling, decision-makers aim to avoid adverse outcomes, not predict them, Mark Coughlan explains.

Prime Time • 02 Jul 21

Dr Tony Holohan raised fresh concerns about the Delta variant in Ireland

The data behind NPHET's Delta variant concern

NPHET has raised fresh concerns about the Delta variant in Ireland. But how widespread is the variant here? And what exactly is known about its spread?

Prime Time • 23 Jun 21

Prof Philip Nolan described as "reassuring" the slow rate of growth of the Delta variant in Ireland

How Ireland has handled the Delta variant so far

Ireland has not yet experienced anything like the explosive growth of the Delta variant seen in the UK, explains Mark Coughlan.

Prime Time • 18 Jun 21

As more people are vaccinated, the country in theory moves closer to herd immunity

How close is Ireland to herd immunity?

As the country's vaccination roll-out continues apace, every day we theoretically eke closer to herd immunity. But it's not yet clear that we'll ever actually get there, explains Mark Coughlan.

Prime Time • 14 Jun 21

Deliveries of the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine across Europe aren't on schedule

What do J&J vaccine woes mean for roll-out?

The latest update on deliveries of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine mean it is unlikely that the Government will hit either of its June targets, explains Mark Coughlan.

Prime Time • 28 May 21

Ireland has seen 72 cases of the so-called Indian variant to date

Everything we know about the Indian variant in Ireland

Ireland's National Virus Reference Laboratory has now reported 72 cases of the Covid-19 variant known as B1617.2, which has been spreading rapidly in parts of the UK, explains Mark Coughlan.

Prime Time • 21 May 21

The attack on the HSE uses the Conti ransomware

HSE cyber attack: Inevitable Irish entity would be hit

As cyber attacks get more sophisticated and concerning, it is not surprising that a major Irish public entity was struck with ransomware, explains Mark Coughlan.

Prime Time • 18 May 21

More than 260,000 doses were administered in Ireland in the past seven days

Ireland's vaccine roll-out hits 250,000 dose milestone

Despite weeks of disruption and upheaval, Ireland's vaccine roll-out appears to have partially caught up in recent days, explains Mark Coughlan.

Prime Time • 12 May 21