An Irish GP has revealed that he saw a surge in coronavirus patients over the last two weeks - and some infections are due to "wakes, communions and Leaving Cert parties".
Dr Martin Coyne, who is based in Lifford, Co Donegal, said his practice had seen just 17 cases from the start of the pandemic up to September 17.
However in the two weeks since, he has seen a staggering 54 patients.
Donegal was placed under a Level Three lockdown yesterday after the number of coronavirus cases skyrocketed.
And Dr Coyne said he had seen infections resulting from birthdays, Leaving Cert results parties, communions and even a wake.
He told Newstalk's Breakfast Briefing: “Unfortunately, it does seem to be social gatherings.
“Birthday parties, Leaving Cert result parties, communions, unfortunately a wake, where people have been gathering together and probably not respecting social distancing advice.
“Unfortunately, it has got into our community now and it is spreading.”
Dr Coyne added: “People need to look up the HSE website and see what self-isolation actually means. It means you have to stay in your own house, in your own room and not mix with anybody for ten days. It is like being in prison for ten days.
“If you are a contact of somebody who has had COVID-19, you should self-isolate for 14 days until you get the all-clear from public health.
“So, this is not a minor, Mickey Mouse condition to get. Even if it doesn’t affect you horribly physically, from a social point of view, it is going to have you, virtually, a prisoner in your own house."
Dr Coyne admitted the proximity to Derry, which has seen a surge in cases, has not helped Donegal.
He said: “The border doesn’t exist as regards people travelling to and for, to work, to shop, to socialise, to go to school.
“I am certainly not blaming Derry because the border works both ways. People from the North may have brought the disease over to us but we are certainly bringing it over to them as well.
“We have an awful lot of families who straddle the border and when it comes to this disease, it doesn’t see the border.”
