The Minister for Health has said that the recent rise in Covid cases in Limerick is a "stark reminder for the rest of us across the country of the risk Covid-19 continues to pose."
Earlier today, Stephen Donnelly met with public representatives, public health doctors, local politicians and community leaders from the Limerick area to discuss the recent rise in cases.
Minister Donnelly said: “Yesterday, the Public Health Department in the Mid-West reported 103 cases of Covid-19 in Limerick. There have been more than 800 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Limerick over the past fortnight. The incidence of 426 cases per 100,000 of the population is simply too high and poses a serious risk to public health.
“Public health doctors have told us that this spike is a result of indoor socialising and workplace outbreaks. Unfortunately, this sharp rise puts our hard-won progress against COVID-19 at risk. It is simply too soon to stop adhering to the public health measures that have protected us so well for so long.
Earlier this evening, the Department of Health confirmed 529 new cases of Covid-19 in Ireland.
At present, 86 people are in hospital with and 28 patients in ICU.
Regarding the growing concern in Limerick, the Minister for Health has called on the people in the county to continue their efforts to adhere to the correct healthcare and social distancing guidelines.
However, Donnelly also believes that the recent spike in cases in the area should also be a warning to the rest of the country, especially ahead of the long weekend.
“In the past, we have seen Limerick’s ability to respond quickly to Covid-19 and effectively get the virus under control. We need people to harness the community spirit we have seen Limerick people display time and time again, to continue to protect our loved ones.
“This is a stark reminder for the rest of us across the country of the risk COVID-19 continues to pose. We cannot let our guard down now. All of our collective hard work and sacrifice has contributed to the success of our vaccination programme and the progress we have made so far with reopening our economy and society," he said.
Speaking to Limerick's Live95, Dr Holohan outlined the current situation in the Treaty County.
“Really, in Limerick at the moment, the levels of infection are so high that we think that for people who are not vaccinated, that is not going to be safe to do some of these things. We think the right thing now is for us to really focus on getting a clear public health message, particularly in advance of the bank holiday weekend,” said the CMO.
Ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend, Stephen Donnelly has urged the Irish public to continue pursuing the correct healthcare and social distancing practices.
“Our priority in Limerick - and indeed around the country - is to suppress the virus until such a time that we have the vast majority of our population vaccinated. We have one of the highest uptakes of vaccination in Europe, and our ability to respond to surges in the past has been second to none. Let’s focus on this, and the public health measures that work.
“Please avoid crowds, wear a mask where appropriate, wash your hands, maintain your social distance, socialise outdoors and, most importantly, if you display any symptoms of COVID-19 or suspect you are a close contact of a confirmed case then attend a test centre for a free test. These are the measures that work and are all the more vital for those in Limerick in the coming days. I have faith that we can do this now, as we have done in the past.”
Earlier this evening, it was announced that 400,000 people that are waiting on their second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine will receive it earlier than planned.
The interval has now been reduced to eight weeks and it will be phased in, starting with those waiting longest for it.
Minister Donnelly said: "The reduction in the length of the interval between doses of this vaccine will benefit in excess of 400,000 people who are waiting on a second dose and who will now get the protection of being fully vaccinated earlier.
"This will be phased in – the coming fortnight will see those who are due their vaccine as part of a 12-week schedule, receive their second dose of vaccine. We will then implement a graduated reduction so the interval will reduce to 11, 10, 9 and then 8 weeks."
Further detailed planning on this aspect of the Covid-19 vaccination programme will take place over the weekend.
