The head of the HSE has warned that the health service is now “under real threat.”
Paul Reid said some coronavirus testing centres are now returning positivity rates between 40% and 55%.
He noted that the number of virus-related hospitalisations is now close to what it was at the peak of the first wave, with GPs and primary care services under “relentless strain.”
Our Health Sevice is under real threat now. We're heading to the peak of hospitlaisations as in the 1st Wave. Primary & GP services are under relentless strain. Swabbing centres have positivity rates from 40 to 55%. Please reduce transmission, stay home and #StaySafe @HSELive
— Paul Reid (@paulreiddublin) January 5, 2021
He was speaking as the Cabinet sub-committee on COVID-19 meets to consider plans to close schools for the rest of the month.
A final decision is expected to be made at a full Cabinet meeting tomorrow.
Speaking on his way into the meeting this afternoon, the Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said schools are safe – but the Government must take the seriousness of the situation into account.
Meanwhile, the Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said any school closure should not last long than a few weeks.
Health officials last night announced 6,110 new COVID-19 cases – another record high for the country.
Meanwhile, 817 COVID-19 patients were being treated in Irish hospitals this morning – up 73 on yesterday.
There were 73 people in intensive care with the virus last night.
One-quarter of the 20,571 tests processed on Sunday came back positive – up from just over 5% in the days before Christmas.
