Covid-19 Ireland: NPHET chief hails 'phenomenal' efforts of the public amid signs that lockdown is working

The Deputy Chief Medical Officer has hailed the "phenomenal" efforts of the Irish public as the country continues to battle a brutal third wave.

Dr Ronan Glynn tonight said Ireland has made "incredible progress" over recent weeks in its battle with Covid-19 – despite a slowing decline in daily case numbers and a number of other concerning trends.

Tonight, experts from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) reported another 901 cases of coronavirus, as well as 47 more tragic deaths.

Speaking at a public health briefing, Dr Glynn said: "People are doing the right things, and the things people are doing are working."

And, in a heartfelt address, he added: "This is not lip service. It really is phenomenal to see the levels of compliance that we've seen and to see those maintained since the beginning of the year.

"We continue to be enthused, or gratified, to see the response of the general public, and their willingness to stick through this.

"I have no idea how tough this is for many people.

"This pandemic has affected us in different ways. People want to see their families, people want to see their friends, people want a social life, people want to get back to work.

"But we just can't do those things at the moment, unfortunately.

"And we need to remain in a very cautious state over the coming weeks."

Dr Ronan Glynn, Acting Chief Medical Officer. (Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin)

Pressed on the risks associated with reopening schools – a major priority of the Government – Dr Glynn said: "What we've been clear about is that we want to see a phased return – a cautious, slow return – with some time in between those phases so we can assess.

"The key message that we want to get out is not specifically in relation to schools or education. It's to the whole population – to please not take the return to education of some students as a signal that mobility otherwise is now in some way appropriate or acceptable.

"We're very concerned – and remain very concerned – about the high levels of disease in the community.

"And so it's incumbent on all of us to try and make the return to education a success in the coming weeks."