A Clare GP insists that the use of covid certs in certain settings should be extended “indefinitely”.
It comes amid concern over rising case numbers across the country, which its feared could lead to a doubling of ICU admissions over the coming month.
The number of Covid patients in intensive care units across the country are at their highest level in seven months.
Figures jumped to 86 last night, a rise of 30 on the start of the month. 9 of those are in University Hospital Limerick, 2 more than the previous 24 hours.
A member of NPHET has warned that the number of Covid patients in ICUs could double in the coming month and that more Covid restrictions are ‘possible’.
Dr Mary Favier says cases are currently increasing in all age-groups.
Nurses union, the INMO, has described the current situation in hospitals as extremely dangerous.
General Secretary, Phil Ní Sheaghdha says there were warning signs that this was coming down the line.
Confirmed cases of Covid-19 have been steadily increasing in Clare in recent weeks, with the latest available HSPC data showing there were 418 cases in the fortnight up to Monday last week.
A prominent GP has warned that it will take a number of weeks before these increased cases manifest into hospital numbers.
Dr Máire Finn has voiced her concern that while most people feel as though we’re coming to the end of the pandemic, the optimism is not mirrored in her practice.
The Ennis GP believes consideration should be given to relaxing social behaviour too soon and she insists that vaccine certs should continue beyond February in certain settings.
