HSE's Paul Reid says eliminating Covid-19 from Ireland not realistic

Mr Reid will express concern at the number of outbreaks of Covid-19 in recent weeks. Picture: Sam Boal / Photocall Ireland

The HSE's chief executive says the country's health service faces 'a very difficult period' ahead and that eliminating Covid-19 from Ireland is not realistic and must be lived along with.

Paul Reid will also tell today's Oireachtas coronavirus committee that over 750,000 Covid-19 tests have taken place in Ireland so far and that 5,000 contact tracing calls took place last week.

Mr Reid will also express concern at the 'large number' of outbreaks in private households, along with sporting and social clubs.

Dr Denis McCauley, the chairman of the Irish Medical Organisation's GP committee, is calling for the public to take action to prevent a crisis in the healthcare system in the coming months.

"We have to ensure that the vast majority of the population get a flu vaccine to lessen the burden on the actual health services," said Dr McCauley. 

"I think as well that there is a worrying stigmatisation of people who are A, going for a test and B, who are actually positive. 

"We're all in this together, we should just all work together to try and minimise the spread of this highly infectious disease," said Dr McCauley.

Dr McCauley also does not believe it is possible to eliminate Covid-19 entirely from the country. 

"I think practically it is nearly impossible to do this because we are an open economy, open Ireland, we have a land border with another nation. 

"The fact of trying to get a negative Covid Ireland, it sounds idealistic, it sounds good, but I really don't think it's possible practically in the real world," he said.