HSE boss Paul Reid has said it’s time to hot the ‘reset’ button on Covid as the number of people in hospital with the virus spikes.
There are now 482 Covid-19 patients in hospital – an increase of 76 since Saturday.
The number of people hospitalised with Covid-19 has risen by 44% over the last two weeks. It compares to 400 people on this day last week and 333 patients on this day two weeks ago.
The number of patients with Covid-19 is 74.
According to an update from the HSE last night, there were 11 adult public ICU beds left available in the system along with one paediatric ICU bed.
Mr Reid said: “Time for us all to hit the reset button. 1. If unvaccinated, you’re at higher risk, resulting in a disproportionate impact. Do the right thing. 2. For the rest of us, time to do the basics well again. Both of the above work.”
Professor Sam McConkey has said that the ‘shocking and disappointing’ rise in hospitalisations and ICU admissions as a result of Covid-19 is disrupting regular hospital services.
Prof McConkey, a specialist in infectious diseases, told RTÉ’s Today with Claire Byrne programme that a quarter of the country’s ICU beds are now being used to treat people with Covid-19 which he says “really disrupts the regular care” that can be provided to those who are very ill in Ireland.
He said that the situation is “not a good way to go into winter with flu coming”.
