Covid-19 measures ‘have been effective’ but there is a long and risky road ahead
Social distancing is working.
While we’re far from out of the woods, the Department of Health has assured the public that ongoing efforts to stop the spread of Covid-19 have been successful in suppressing the spread of the disease.
According to Thursday’s figures, 29 more people have died after being diagnosed with Covid-19. A further 137 cases of the virus have also been confirmed in Ireland, the lowest number since March 22nd.
The number of confirmed cases here is 22,385. The largest number of people affected are based in Dublin (10,840) followed by Kildare with 1,302 cases and Cork with 1,197 cases.
‘There is no question our collective effort has saved lives’
In a press briefing yesterday evening, Dr Philip Nolan, chairman of the Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group, confirmed there has been an improvement in the reproduction number (Ro), which is the expected number of cases directly generated by one case of the virus.
The Ro in Ireland is now between 0.5 -0.6, which is manageable for Irish hospitals and ICU units, but the situation remains precarious; an R0 of 1.2 would create major issues for patients and health workers.
6/6. This graph emphasises that we have had success in combating #COVID19 but we need to keep it up.
The SEIR model shows that if we had relaxed social distancing measures on 5 May, the reproduction rate and confirmed cases would increase immediately to the higher levels shown. pic.twitter.com/rwsyIqxKD4
— Department of Health (@roinnslainte) May 7, 2020
“We have achieved our goal of suppressing the spread of the disease,” said Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health.
“It was not easy for anyone but there is no question that our collective effort has saved lives,” he added. “Now we look to the pattern of Covid-19 going forward, as we attempt to ease restrictions.
The plan going forward
With the first lockdown restrictions due to be eased from Monday, May 18th, Dr Holohan warned that this is not a time for complacency.
“These weeks are just as important as the first weeks of our response,” he said. “Our behaviours are crucial in maintaining our progress and keeping the reproduction number below 1.”
Research conducted by NPHET shows that 96% of people are following the rules on vigorous and regular handwashing, with 91% of people adhering to social distancing advice.
