By Rebecca Black, PA
There have been more than 1,000 deaths linked to Covid-19 and more than 100,000 cases of the virus in Ireland in January, it has emerged.
Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan warned about the remaining level of infection on Saturday evening, although there has been a decrease in case numbers recently.
Dr Holohan said more cases had been reported in the month of January than throughout all of 2020.
“We have experienced over 1,000 deaths and more than 100,000 cases in January 2021,” Dr Holohan said.
“We have reported more cases in one month than we experienced throughout 2020.
“This shows just how quickly this disease can spread and how much it can impact public health.”
“The efforts by all of the population in following the basic public health advice has seen us reduce the incidence of the disease very rapidly compared to most countries in Europe,” Dr Holohan continued.
“Despite the recent, significant decrease in cases, there remains a level of infection in the population which is double that seen at the peak of incidence last October.
“The next few weeks need to see us maintain compliance with all of the measures that are in place so that we can get to levels of the disease that are as low as possible.”
Hospitals remain under pressure, with 1,494 Covid-positive inpatients, of whom 213 are in intensive care units (ICU).
Saturday saw a further 79 deaths and 1,414 cases of the virus confirmed in the Republic.
We have experienced over 1,000 deaths and more than 100,000 cases in January 2021.
We have reported more cases in one month than we experienced throughout 2020.
This shows just how quickly #COVID19 can spread and how much it can impact public health. https://t.co/sL9sFkJdgc
— Dr Tony Holohan (@CMOIreland) January 30, 2021
On Saturday, comments from the Taoiseach and Tánaiste seemed to suggest the Government parties have differing opinions as to the progression of the Covid-19 vaccination timeline in Ireland.
According to Leo Varadkar, the target of vaccinating every adult in the country by September can still be met, while Micheál Martin said meeting that target is now unlikely — adding that it may be the end of the year before all Irish citizens are vaccinated.
