{"id":25003,"date":"2022-02-01T16:05:00","date_gmt":"2022-02-01T21:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=25003"},"modified":"2022-02-02T14:08:31","modified_gmt":"2022-02-02T19:08:31","slug":"holohan-to-warn-politicians-that-the-pandemic-is-not-over","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=25003","title":{"rendered":"Holohan To Warn Politicians That ‘The Pandemic Is Not Over’"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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While Dr Holohan will give a largely positive update to the health committee, he also warns that \u201cthe pandemic is not over\u201d, and that other variants of concerns are likely to emerge after Omicron (PA Media)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dr Tony Holohan is set to advise politicians that there will be an \u201congoing need\u201d to retain Covid-19 measures such as mask wearing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The chief medical officer is set to appear before the Oireachtas health committee on Wednesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In his opening statement, as reported by the PA news agency, Dr Holohan will recommend the continued use of protective measures in schools and mask wearing in all the settings where they are currently required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The policy on mask-wearing for school children is set to be reviewed at the end of February.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Dr Holohan will give a largely positive update to the health committee, he also warns that \u201cthe pandemic is not over\u201d, and that other variants of concerns are likely to emerge after Omicron.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn advising that social and economic restrictions could be removed, the Nphet (National Public Health Emergency Team) stressed that the pandemic is not over and that with a significant level of infection nationally, Covid-19 still poses a risk to public health,\u201d Dr Holohan will tell TDs and Senators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn this regard, there will be an ongoing need to retain some public health measures to reduce risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cProtective measures should remain in place in primary and secondary schools, masks should continue to be worn in all settings where currently regulated for, and we must continue to encourage everyone to complete their primary and booster programs of vaccination.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr Holohon will also highlight the importance of remaining vigilant against the virus, with a risk of new variants emerging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe evolution of Sars-CoV-2 can be expected to continue, Omicron is unlikely to be the last Variant of Concern (VOC) we will have to face, and the global public health risk remains very high,\u201d he will tell the committee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTherefore, we must remain vigilant and ensure that our response is agile and flexible, with an ability to respond rapidly and appropriately to any emerging threat.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The importance of self-isolation for symptomatic cases will also be underlined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt remains critical that if you have any symptoms of Covid-19 you self-isolate immediately,\u201d Dr Holohan is expected to say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThose who are identified as a close contact of a confirmed case need to follow the appropriate public health measures.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, Dr Holohan will also state that the current epidemiological situation is \u201cbroadly positive\u201d and that the country is in a \u201cmuch improved situation\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key indicators such as case numbers, hospital and ICU admissions and demand for testing are all reducing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking ahead of the meeting, committee chair Sean Crowe said: \u201cThe lifting of virtually all lockdown restrictions has given the country a welcome boost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs we reach the two-year anniversary of Covid-19 reaching our shores, tomorrow is an opportune time to meet with Nphet and hear the latest projections on the spread of the Omicron variant, uptake of the booster vaccines and contingency plans for another variant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Covid-19 pandemic is not over and the Omicron variant is unlikely to be the final variant of concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is crucial that we reflect on the lessons of the past two years in order to chart a better path ahead for the health service.\u201d<\/p>\n

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