NPHET's Professor Philip Nolan has given a positive update to the Irish public over the current Covid situation and has said we're finally getting close to suppressing the virus.
He recognised Ireland's fierce uptake of the vaccine since the rollout began as well as the efforts of the public in sticking to government restrictions as the reason for our success and ability to reopen very soon.
Speaking on RTE's News at One, he said: "We're fortunate with our very high level of vaccinations and frankly the very sensible manner in which each and every one of us is taking the precautions, we seem to have come close to suppressing what is a very transmissible virus."
Right now, the cases we're seeing reported on a daily basis are essentially the "residual" of the Delta spread among those aged 16-34 this summer.
"We're living with the aftermath of that force of infection right now," he explained.
"The cases we're seeing today are essentially the residual of that."
Explaining the spike among school children, Nolan said that since the return of schools, "they are doing 80% more testing, the positivity rate is less than half of what it was and the incidence is about 25% down".
He insisted that this is good news "is a testament to the mitigation measures that teachers, principals and parents have put in place".
As the major easing in restrictions approaches, Nolan said "we're in a good place and there's nothing in the numbers at the moment that would change the advice that NPHET would have given the Government at the end of August."
From Friday, October 22, the following restrictions will be lifted:
- requirements for physical distancing
- requirements for mask wearing outdoors and in indoor private settings
- limits on numbers at indoor and outdoor events and activities
- restrictions on religious or civil ceremonies
- limits on numbers that can meet in private homes/gardens
- certification of vaccination, immunity or testing as a prerequisite for access to, or engagement in, any activities or events (with the exception of international travel)
- restrictions on high-risk activities, e.g. nightclubs
