IRELAND is closing in on a full domestic suppression of Covid-19, according to the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET).
Professor Philip Nolan, Chair of NPHET’s Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group, says that recent figures indicate the country is moving in the right direction, and that the light at the end of the tunnel is now in full view.
Speaking to RTÉ News at One, Prof Nolan insisted that high levels of vaccination and strong adherence to public health measures had led to Ireland's strong position.
"We’re fortunate with our very high level of vaccinations and frankly the very sensible manner in which each and every one of us is taking the precautions, we seem have come close to suppressing what is a very transmissible virus," he said.
On Monday, the Department of Health confirmed the lowest number of new Covid-19 cases in over two months, while 1,241 new cases have been confirmed in the Republic today.
NPHET - Dr Tony Holohan, Prof Philip Nolan, Dr Ronan Glynn (L-R)There are currently 349 patients with Covid-19 in hospital, of which 65 are in intensive care.
Prof Nolan added that current cases are as a result of a "very large wave of infection" of the Delta variant, but that Ireland was in a "good place".
As the country prepares to reopen from October 22, NPHET remain optimistic about Ireland's chances of keeping figures low, particular given the country's high vaccination rates, which are among the very highest in Europe.
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