A healthcare worker who spent 68 days on a ventilator battling Covid-19 has urged the public to take the virus seriously.
Acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn said there is a particularly high incidence of the virus in Donegal and Dublin, and rapidly increasing numbers in Cork, Galway, Monaghan and Roscommon.
Jerick Martin, who is aged in his 30s, appeared at the press conference on Monday evening where he described his experience with the virus, saying he feels lucky to be alive.
"I spent 68 days in intensive care, most of that time on a ventilator, in an induced coma," he said.
"I was told by my doctor that I would be in the induced coma for a few days, but I actually woke up two months later.
"The impact of that is very frightening and it will have long-lasting effects."
Mr Martin warned that the disease "does not care that you are young, fit and healthy".
"Anyone can catch it, and anyone can become very sick," he said.
"I am very grateful to be alive, and I would like people to realise the effect that Covid-19 can easily have on you."
Mr Martin said he had multi-organ failure and his life and health has changed as a result of the virus.
"My wife says this was a living hell for her.
"She thought I was going to die, and the hospital had to ring her twice to tell her that I might not live," he said.
"I eventually began to recover, thanks to the staff in Beaumont Hospital and the family and friends who prayed for me, and I was able to go home.
"Even now, my life and my health have changed.
"I lost three and a half stone in weight.
"I have diabetes, shortness of breath and hypertension.
"I did not have these conditions before.
"Now, I need an inhaler and I am short of breath going up or down the stairs.
"I don't know what the longer term effects are going to be.
"I am asking now for everyone to be careful.
"Take this virus very seriously."
Dr Glynn did not rule out recommending a further tightening of restrictions if case numbers continue to rise.
"If recommendations need to be made, they will be made," he said.
"Any recommendations that are made are made to protect people, to prevent people and families having to go through what Jerick and his family have had to go through.
"I think there's a perspective here that really shines a light on why we're here twice a week and why there is such a focus on this disease and what it can do."
Dr Glynn also emphasised the importance of following public health advice, giving examples of recent clusters.
He described how a person with symptoms did not feel they were significant and did not self isolate.
They went on to meet up with friends and 13 cases resulted.
One of these cases also met up with other friends, resulting in another nine cases, and a further case met up with extended family and went to a sport activity.
"Overall that one case led to 56 other cases," he said.
"So, if you have got any symptoms at all, please don't meet up with other people, isolate immediately, contact your GP and get a test."
