'Like Jones' Road on the day of the All-Ireland'
The Chief Medical Officer has defended remarks he made at the weekend, where he described crowds socialising in Dublin city centre as "shocking scenes".
Dr Tony Holohan said the images "were something to behold" and likened them to Jones' Road, beside Croke Park, on an All-Ireland final weekend.
He said he was not making a moral judgement on those gathered on South William Street, but commenting from a public health point of view.
Dr Holohan said for the most part the public have stayed compliant with public health guidelines and said he doesn't want to put at risk the progress that had been made.
Speaking about the scenes in Dublin at the weekend, @CMOIreland said, "I think if the council had set about organising an outdoor event they couldn't have squeezed more people into that confined arena." pic.twitter.com/VKdwubOAC1
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) June 2, 2021
Not everything outdoors is safe - CMO
Asked further about outdoor gatherings, Dr Holohan said that not every event is safe just because it takes place outdoors.
He said "the majority of people understand what is meant by an 'outdoor summer'".
An 'outdoor summer' includes social distancing, wearing facemasks and avoiding crowds, the Chief Medical Officer said.
He said this is what NPHET have always advised and continue to advise.
However, he said large groups of people in close proximity outdoors can still facilitate the transmission of Covid-19.
Dr Tony Holohan says socialising outdoors is still better than indoors but adds, "it isn't true to say everything that happens outdoors is safe. If you get a large group of people in very close proximity with each other... it will facilitate transmission." pic.twitter.com/h9xxcUM1yL
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) June 2, 2021
Highest case rates in Donegal, Limerick, Offaly and Dublin
The counties with the highest incidence rate of Covid-19 are Limerick (376 cases per 100,000 people over the last 14 days), followed by Donegal (201), Offaly (172) and Dublin (155).
That national 14-day incidence rate stands at 122 cases per 100,000 people.
Dr Ronan Glynn says the counties with the highest incidence rate are Limerick, Donegal, Offaly and Dublin. | Read more: https://t.co/gLdM2fS4Rp pic.twitter.com/tJUpEeIqfl
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) June 2, 2021
Dr Mai Mannix, the director of public health for HSE Mid-West, said the incidence has been high in Limerick, with 740 cases recorded between 16-31 May.
She said there are multiple community outbreaks resulting from house parties and household visits, as well as from workplaces and some school settings.
Dr Mannix highlighted one school situation where 30 positive cases had resulted from birthday parties and social mixing.
They are also investigating 50 cases in 20 workplaces, with the majority being in Limerick.
Dr Mannix said there had been outbreaks in hair salons, beauticians and factories, with 50 close contacts involved in an outbreak from one hair salon.
Speaking at the NPHET briefing, Dr Mai Manix, Director of Public Health in HSE Mid-West said that there has been a number of Covid-19 outbreaks in hair salons and beauticians in Limerick. Dr Manix added, "one of these had more than 50 contacts." pic.twitter.com/iwMd8ihrqB
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) June 2, 2021
Early bar reopening ruled out
The progress made as a country over the month of May was "better than expected", Dr Tony Holohan said.
He said this allowed the Government to accelerate the return of crowds to outdoor sporting events.
However, he said the advice given to Government at the start of last month was that bars, restaurants and cafés could reopen for outdoor hospitality from 7 June.
Dr Holohan said this remains the case, despite calls for outdoor hospitality to return before the Bank Holiday weekend.
Replying to a question about opening outdoor hospitality early @CMOIreland said, "there is an argument for everything... we will always respond when the evidence tells us that we are going too quickly or too slowly and give advice to government." pic.twitter.com/LekJn9VMGJ
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) June 2, 2021
Increase in number of cases of Delta variant
The head of the National Virus Reference Laboratory has said there have now been 115 cases of the Delta (Indian) variant of Covid-19 detected around the country.
Dr Cillian de Gascun said this is up from 97 last Friday.
He said the incidence of the variant seems to be stable, but added that it remains a concern, especially if it makes its way into a "super spreader event".
We must "remain vigilant" against the virus, he added.
The National Public Health Emergency Team also said the incidence of variants in Limerick, which has the highest rate of cases in the country is "tiny".
Dr Holohan said a local lockdown for Limerick was not needed at this time.
Mask wearing to be kept 'under review'
Public health advice around social distancing and the wearing of face masks will be "looked at as the summer unfolds", Dr Holohan has said.
He said mask wearing is required in many indoor settings and on public transport at present.
Dr Tony Holohan says NPHET will look at mask-wearing as a requirement over the summer, "it is something we will keep under review on a continuing basis and we will be looking at that over the course of the summer." pic.twitter.com/6umF0nStoj
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) June 2, 2021
"Whether we need to continue to, by way of requirement, emphasise the importance of mask-wearing is something we will keep under review," he said.
However, Dr Holohan said a determination on this might not have been made by the end of June.
