An Irish scientist has said that Ireland may have at least three further outbreaks of the coronavirus until the population develops herd immunity.
And that could grow to as many as nine waves depending on how much of the population develops immunity to COVID-19 in each outbreak.
The current first wave will develop an immunity of about 16.7% in Ireland, the Irish Times reports.
That will need to reach around 60% in Ireland before the country is considered to have herd immunity in the absence of a vaccine.
That's according to research led by UCD graduate Dr Rosalyn Moran.
In recent days, the World Health Organisation has said there is currently no proof that being infected with the coronavirus will give immunity for a significant amount of time.
According to the study, Ireland's peak is one of two dates - on April 9, or next Wednesday, depending on which of the two models included is used.
It says that herd immunity can be developed in the first wave in specific outbreak areas of the population.
And the research says that the overall number of deaths in the first cycle can reach up to 1,250. There have been 610 deaths in Ireland so far.
Dr Moran says: "In the absence of strong seasonal effects, new medications or more comprehensive contact tracing, a further set of epidemic waves in different geographic centres are likely.
"These findings may have implications for ‘exit strategies’ from any lockdown stage."
