Taoiseach Michelál Martin argued that he was not just blaming the British coronavirus variant for the surge in incidents. We admit that the socialization of Christmas also affected the infection rate.
However, he states that about 45% of recent case samples indicate the presence of a new British variant, suggesting that it is a major factor in recent infection rates here. It was.
Martin also said it was “unfair” to suggest that the government should be ashamed of responding to the virus before Christmas, and I don’t think mixed messages were sent to the public.
He emphasized that the government is currently doing “as much as possible” to control the virus again.
The Irish Prime Minister said that the number of cases remained high, with 6,888 new cases and eight more deaths. Report here yesterday evening..
At Letter Kenny University Hospital, pressure on the hospital continues I apologize this morning Yesterday, there was a patient who had to wait in an ambulance for the bed to become available.
Talk in Pat Kenny ShowMartin said there was a “worst case” regarding Christmas socialization, new British variants of the virus, and potential seasonal factors that contributed to the rapid spread of the virus.
He upheld the government’s decision to resume hospitality and allow home visits in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
He said: “Ireland was in a fairly long period of some restrictions … Entering the December period, there was a six-week period of the level 5 blockade … before that, there was level 3.
“Various departments and people wanted relief from the blockade … All parties welcomed the decision at the end of December.
“I think the level has dropped significantly as a result of the level 5 blockade. [in November]… The measures worked. There was no mixed message there. “
He argued that the apparently more contagious British variant of the virus was the “very important factor” for the current surge, and the latest number received from the Chief Medical Officer was 92 tested viruses. It shows that 42 of the samples detected variants.
But he said he “accepted” that socialization played a role in the current surge.
He told Pat: “We are responsible, but we have always acted to respond effectively to the waves that occur.
“Our focus is on controlling the current wave, reducing numbers, reducing pressure on hospitals and protecting vulnerable older people in the community. That is my overall focus now. ..
“Over time, people can ponder this and draw observations and conclusions.”
Irish border
The Irish Prime Minister said the idea of blocking the border with Northern Ireland as a way to control the virus was by no means a “realistic outlook.”
He admitted that open border was one of the difficulties in controlling the spread of the virus, but closing it is “very difficult.”
For now, Martin said he encourages people to always wear masks in public.
He said: “I have always advocated wearing masks on crowded streets. In fact, I argue that people going out to the amenity area or walking should wear masks as general guidance.”
But he said the government did not foresee requiring people to wear masks when they were outdoors.
Elsewhere, Martin said there are still cases of people who do not follow the guidelines-and it is “very unusual” that Gardai had to intervene to disband the party.
But overall, he believes that he now has “much better compliance” than before and much less activity than two weeks ago.
