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The Covid-19 pandemic is worsening at pace, the head of Ireland\u2019s health service warned.<\/p>\nThe Covid-19 pandemic is worsening at pace, the head of Ireland\u2019s health service warned.<\/p>\n
Paul Reid urged members of the public to \u201cget real\u201d and play their part in protecting patients and health workers.<\/p>\n
Taoiseach Micheal Martin has pledged extra resources to a health system bracing itself for the most difficult of winters.<\/p>\n
The HSE chief executive said: \u201cCovid-19 is worsening at pace.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe all need to get real and play our part to protect patients and our healthcare workers.<\/p>\n
\u201cIncreased hospital cases lead to more people in intensive care units and cancelling heart, cancer and other care.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s turn this around quickly by doing the right thing today.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr. Martin also urged people to change behavior to make level three restrictions work, protect lives and livelihoods.<\/p>\n
He said an unprecedented level of funding has been allocated to the health service.<\/p>\n
That includes planning for the winter and next year.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cThis will enable them to cope with Covid-19, and will ensure a reformed and better health service for the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
At midnight last Tuesday, the Government moved the country to level three of the plan for living with Covid-19.<\/p>\n
Level three involves a greater level of restrictions on people and society, particularly on the hospitality sector.<\/p>\n
It is being accompanied with stronger compliance measures.<\/p>\n
The Taoiseach added: \u201cIf we all change our behaviors and work together we can make level three work, protect lives and livelihoods, show that we can contain the virus and prevent its growth.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said the reopening of schools has shown what can be done with collective effort and compliance with safety guidance and sensible measures.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a result, the mental, educational and physical wellbeing of our nation\u2019s children has been protected and enhanced.<\/p>\n
\u201cKeeping our schools open remains a key priority of government, to ensure that the life chances of our young people will not be impaired.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Taoiseach added: \u201cAn unprecedented level of resources have been allocated to the health services, both in the winter plan and throughout the entirety of 2021.\u201d<\/p>\n
Covid-19 is challenging countries across Europe and throughout the world.<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cThe coming weeks will be challenging but working with Nphet, we will respond firmly and appropriately.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have the capacity and resources to come through this and we will.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe essential steps remain the same.<\/p>\n
\u201cReduce our social contacts, wash our hands, mask up and behave as if you have the virus.<\/p>\n
\u201cStay safe.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another two people have died with Covid-19 and a further 814 new cases were announced this evening.<\/p>\n
A total of 30 people are in hospital intensive care units.<\/p>\n
The Department of Health said of the cases notified today: 432 are men while 381 are women, 70 per cent are under 45 years of age and the median age of today’s cases is 32 years old.<\/p>\n
Dublin recorded a further 226 cases, while there were 77 in Cork, 64 in Galway, 56 in Donegal, 48 in Meath and the remaining 343 cases were spread across all remaining counties.<\/p>\n