Health service ‘under real threat’ due to huge surge in numbers

HSE officials have warned that the country's health system is "under real threat" given the recent surge in positive Covid-19 cases.  Commenting on the current public health situation, CEO of the HSE Paul Reid tweeted to say: "Our Health Service is under real threat now. We're heading to the peak of hospitalisations as in the 1st Wave. Primary & GP services are under relentless strain. Swabbing centres have positivity rates from 40 to 55%. Please reduce transmission, stay home and #StaySafe." Following the above statement up with another message this morning, Reid later confirmed that the numbers of patients in the ICU because of the virus have now exceeded the peak level of the first wave back in March/April 2020. "With 921people in hospital, we've now exceeded the peak level of the 1st wave (881).75 in ICU. Healthy people are getting very sick. Everyone gets how serious this is now. Let's all do what's needed, turn this around, save lives, whilst the vaccine arrives. We have to." https://twitter.com/paulreiddublin/status/1346739705371643904 Current restrictions are set to remain in place until January 31st at the earliest with government to meet and reevaluate the situation before the end of the month. Several new measures are also being brought before Cabinet today with a decision on the proposed guidelines expected in the coming days.

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