The CEO of the HSE says Ireland is at the highest risk position in relation to Covid 19 to date.
Paul Reid says health officials are working on the ‘absolute premise’ that the new contagious strain of the virus is already here.
The country will start moving back to Level 5 restrictions tomorrow.
970 new cases were recorded yesterday and that’s expected to rise today.
Paul Reid says the situation is extremely serious.
"There's no doubt about it, we are at what I'd call quite a serious and dangerous position, in terms of the transmission of the virus right now."
It's one of the points of the highest risk that I think we've seen throughout the year."
"Notwithstanding what we went through in the first phase."
He continued, "because it's a culmination of the growth in transmission levels, the high positivity rate and what we know is going to happen over the Christmas period."
It's so hard on so many families at Christmas this year. But nobody should be living in fear or despair. We're working hard over Christmas to start our vaccinations. For now, taking action to protect yourself and family is the best positive defence. #COVID19 @HSELive
— Paul Reid (@paulreiddublin) December 22, 2020
Working On The 'Absolute Premise' New Covid Strain Is Here
Health officials are working on the ‘absolute premise’ that the new contagious strain of Covid 19 is already here.
Paul Reid says Ireland is at a dangerous position and they believe the new contagious strain is already here.
"I think what it's called is the 'sequencing approach' where we assess from some of the tests that we've seen each week and each day - coming through the lab."
"That's an extra process we've put in place since we became aware of this variant."
"We haven't identified it to date."
"But I think the safest thing I can say is that doesn't indicate that it's not here."
"We are working on the absolute premise it's here"
