Ireland starting to see stabilisation in indicators for Covid incidence, says CMO

However, he added that the trajectory of the disease remains "uncertain".

Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Tony Holohan has said Ireland is starting to see a stabilisation in a number of important indicators of Covid incidence.

He made the comments on Thursday as the Health Protection Surveillance Centre was notified of 4,163 new confirmed cases of the virus.

As of 8am on Thursday, 545 Covid-19 patients are hospitalised, of whom 117 are in intensive care units.

In a statement accompanying the figures, Holohan noted that the additional efforts the population has made in recent weeks to adhere to public health measures are having a "positive impact".

"We are beginning to see stabilisation in a range of key indicators of incidence of Covid-19," the CMO said.

Dr Tony Holohan @CMOIreland said:

“The additional efforts to adhere to the public health measures we have been taking over the last few weeks are having a positive impact. We are beginning to see stabilisation in a range of key indicators of incidence of COVID-19.
#ForUsAll

— Department of Health (@roinnslainte) December 2, 2021

However, he added that while the progress is "very welcome", the level of disease in the community still remains a concern.

"Stabilisation is happening at too high a level," Holohan explained.

"The current high incidence is driven by the Delta variant, which, coupled with the presence of the Omicron variant, means that the trajectory of the disease remains uncertain.

"In the last seven days, 478 people with Covid-19 were admitted to hospital with 46 people admitted to ICU.

"We know that public health measures we are all familiar with work to limit transmission of Covid-19 in the community.

"Choosing to follow the public health advice is difficult, particularly at this time of year. However, it is the key to changing the trajectory of the disease."

Holohan called on the public to continue washing their hands regularly, to adhere to social distancing mesaures and to choose outdoors instead of indoors for meeting up.

He also urged people to open windows indoors, use good respiratory hygiene, reduce their social contacts and wear a mask if recommended.

"In the over 75 age group, where people have been taking up the offer of a third dose of a Covid-19 vaccine in high numbers, we are seeing significant reductions in the incidence of disease," he added.

"This is another positive development and further evidence that getting a third dose of Covid-19 vaccine helps to protect from the most severe effects of Covid-19.

"I urge everyone, when your turn comes, take the vaccine that is offered to you as soon as it is available."

Main image via Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie