Ireland has already passed its peak of Covid-19 infections and the country can expect around 400 deaths, according to new data by US researchers.
The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington claims that their modelling shows the peak use of ICU beds here passed on April 4th while the peak daily deaths passed on Monday, April 6th.
The modelling estimates that the country will witness a total of 401 deaths by August 4th.
The research looks at the predicted spread and impact of coronavirus in 29 European countries and assumes social distancing measures will remain in place until August.
Dr Christopher Murray, IHME director said: “It is unequivocally evident that social distancing can, when well implemented and maintained, control the epidemic, leading to declining death rates.
“Those nations hit hard early on implemented social distancing orders and may have the worst behind them as they are seeing important progress in reducing their death rates.
“Each nation’s trajectory will change – and dramatically for the worse – if people ease up on social distancing or relax other precautions.
“To decrease the risk of a second wave in places where the first wave is controlled by robust social distancing, governments would need to consider mass testing, contact tracing, and quarantines for those infected until a vaccination is available, mass produced, and distributed widely.”
The study has predicted the UK will be the worst affected country in Europe estimating 66,300 people will die there.
While claiming there will be more than 150,000 in Europe during the “first wave” of the pandemic.
