Clare Infectious Diseases Expert Warns Of Implications Of Easing Restrictions Too Soon

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A Clare native Infectious Diseases expert is warning that easing all Covid restrictions, without ramping up other measures, could result in up to 250 deaths every month.

It comes as the planned reopening of society next Friday is likely to be delayed if Covid cases continue to rise very rapidly.

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This day next week was due to be our so-called freedom day, but it’s feared the planned easing of restrictions will be delayed, if cases continue to rise at the same pace.

One of the measures being considered to avoid that is extending the use of Digital Covid Certs into the new year.

The five-day moving average has increased by 50 per cent in the past week and now stands at 1,580.

Here in Clare, there were 445 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the fortnight up to last Monday, with the North of the county seeing the highest number of those at 130.

An infectious diseases expert from Sixmilebridge believes now is the time for Government to send out renewed messaging about public health measures, in an effort to avoid mirroring what’s happened in the UK.

1.2 million cases of Covid-19 have been recorded there since their freedom day three months ago, as well as ten thousand deaths.

Head of the School of Life Sciences at the University Of Nottingham, Professor James McInerney says other measures will have to be ramped up if the Government does decide to go ahead with the easing of restrictions.

Meanwhile, a business group is urging the Government to push ahead with the planned re-opening, saying it can’t react to every shift in case numbers.

ISME CEO Neil McDonnell insists that we have to learn to live with the virus.

NPHET is meeting on Monday before making its recommendations to Government, with a decision expected on Tuesday about whether or not to lift all remaining restrictions on October 22nd.