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Isolation of older people at Christmas must be considered when deciding to ease lockdown restrictions, a leading member of the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) has said.<\/p>\nIsolation of older people at Christmas must be considered when deciding to ease lockdown restrictions, a leading member of the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) has said.<\/p>\n
Dr Colm Henry of the HSE said the Government and public health bosses must consider the \u201csense of isolation and hopelessness\u201d they feel.<\/p>\n
While the number of positive Covid-19 cases in Ireland has fallen dramatically, the HSE warned this progress must not be lost.<\/p>\n
Asked about the easing of restrictions over Christmas, Dr Henry warned of a resurgence of the virus as seen in Europe.<\/p>\n
But he added: \u201cA few months is a long time for the rest of your life for an older person. Particularly if you\u2019re very old.<\/p>\n
\u201cChristmas is a special time. For some people, it may be their last Christmas,” he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo whatever measures are implemented by Nphet or by Government, that protracted isolation for older people, for whom the rest of their lives might mean a much shorter degree of expectation than for younger or even middle aged people, is something they have to bear in mind.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ireland\u2019s reported cases of Covid-19 have fallen dramatically in recent weeks, and is now one of only two European countries with a negative growth in the 14-day incidence rate.<\/p>\n
This has led to optimism that level five restrictions can be eased as expected on December 1st.<\/p>\n
But HSE CEO Paul Reid has warned that the situation could change rapidly.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cWe must also remember everything to do with this virus is always very fragile.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn a short period of time it all can change very quickly. In a short period of time we could find ourselves dealing with a similar trend that we\u2019re seeing all over Europe.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile it is good and positive that we\u2019re bucking the trend, we equally know it can turn very quickly. The one proven certainty about the virus is its unpredictability.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease don\u2019t drop your guard at this stage\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
There are currently 307 positive cases in hospital in Ireland, with 38 of those cases in intensive care units.<\/p>\n
Dr Henry said that while these are \u201cpositive trends\u201d, he warned that it could \u201cdeteriorate rapidly\u201d, citing the situation around Europe.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe saw in Ireland and in some European countries during the summer, a feeling that it was gone. It was an indefinite truce,” he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe see now the price has been paid, especially in mainland Europe for a suspension, or a kind of magical thinking that the virus had gone away.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said it was some comfort that Ireland had managed to avoid the worst case scenario seen on the continent for a second time.<\/p>\n
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\nBut he added: \u201cIt is important to remind ourselves how quickly this can deteriorate.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose figures from France are truly shocking, 270,000 cases in one week. A rapid escalation of use of beds and intensive care facilities in France, in well developed healthcare systems.<\/p>\n
\u201c175,000 new cases in Italy in one week. In Switzerland, it went from 2,500 cases in mid-September per week to 50,000 cases last week.<\/p>\n