Local lockdowns “can’t be ruled out” if case numbers spike, a Government Minister has warned.
Minister of State Pippa Hackett said a return to lockdown measures is possible amid concerns of spiralling case numbers in Donegal.
Her comments follow a virtual meeting last night between Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly, Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan, and Donegal political and council representatives.
Appearing on RTÉ's The Week In Politics she admitted local lockdowns "couldn't be ruled out" and added that her own county of Offaly went through a local lockdown last year.
She said: "I think what we need to do is work with the people in Donegal.
"It's Donegal this week, it could be another county or another area in another few weeks.”
"Weeks ago Offaly was one of the highest on the list, and, as a result, we did open up a walk-in test centre that has been effective.
"So I mean absolutely looking at what we can do as a State to support people in Donegal, to get through this.
Figures from the National Public Health Emergency Team showed that Donegal had the highest incidence rate in the country at 293.4 per 100,000 population.
The figures show the county has more than double the national 14-day incidence rate which stands at 127.3 per 100,000 people.
The Milford and Letterkenny electoral areas have particularly high Covid case numbers, around five times the national average.
Minister Hackett said she believes the measures agreed between Mr Donnelly, Dr Holohan and Donegal TDs and senators yesterday will be able to drive down transmission rates in the county and she the State should be open to all options.
She added: We should be looking at all options ,and you could also maybe look at how we could use the rapid testing, maybe on a pilot basis in Donegal.
"I think lots of these options need to be looked at."
Sinn Féin's Padraig McLochlainn, who represents the county, said last night's meeting with health chiefs was "useful" but more than one mass vaccination centre is needed.
"The reality is that we do need more vaccination centres in the county. We need more walk-in test centres and an upsurge in effort by the government.
"It's okay for the Minister for Health and for the chief medical officer to challenge the people of Donegal about their responsibilities, but they have responsibilities too and they need to live up to them."
