Hard to believe but it's almost five years since the news of the first confirmed case of Covid-19 in Ireland.

Back on February 29 2020, it was reported that a "male in the eastern part of the country' was the first confirmed case here after the man, reportedly, contracted the infection during a trip to northern Italy.

Covid-19 is still in circulation here but hospitalisations due to the virus are way down and it appears the virus has become far more mild and benign!

This morning on 'Deise Today', Damien caught up with Anthony Staines, Prof of Health Systems at DCU.

Prof Staines was a regular contributor to many media outlets during the height of the pandemic.

This morning, Prof Staines and Damien reflected on that time.

Prof Staines also gave his view on the situation with Covid-19 today - and our capabilities, in his view, to deal with (similar) public health crisis that may come our way into the future.

You can listen back to the chat by clicking on the image above.