Covid cases are beginning to surge again across Europe as the majority of countries lift remaining restrictions in what's hoped is the first "normal" summer since the pandemic began.
Over in Germany, remaining restrictions are being eased today, that's despite a new daily record of almost 300,000 cases on Friday – a seven-day incidence rate of 1,706 cases per 100,000 residents.
In France, most restrictions were lifted last Monday, including the obligation to wear a mask indoors but the number of new cases has risen by a quarter since last week.
Greek prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has agreed with the WHO that the pandemic is "far from over" amid rising cases there.
In Spain, where masks are still required indoors and on public transport, 211,241 new Covid cases have been recorded over the past two weeks.
Asked if the mask mandate will soon be dropped, Spain's health minister, Carolina Darias said: "It’s true that everything suggests we’re getting closer and closer to that, but for us, how we do it is as important as when we do it."
But, former NPHET member Professor Philip Nolan has eased fears of this current Covid resurgence, saying that experts in Ireland aren't worried.
"It's very hard to tell what level of infection you might get when formal measures and restrictions are relaxed," he said.
"The situation remains where we're seeing infection, yes, but serious harm, no.
Ireland is experiencing an "exit wave" of coronavirus cases at the moment, he added, but this recent spike is "not worrying".
Prof Nolan said the wave is "to be expected" to a certain extent, and serious illness is the “important thing to watch”.
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