Slight increase in Covid-19 hospital cases

On Monday, the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) reported 320 new cases of Covid-19 in the country. Picture: AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino

There has been a slight increase in the number of people in hospital with Covid-19, the HSE has said.

More than 260 patients were in hospital, an increase of three since yesterday, while the number of patients in Intensive Care units has reduced to 55.

On Monday, the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) reported 320 new cases of Covid-19 in the country.

This was the lowest daily case number since mid-December.

UCC professor Gerry Killeen, a founding member of the Independent Scientific Advocacy Group (ISAG) which advocates for Zero-Covid, says the latest modelling from NPHET is not ambitious enough to eliminate the disease.

"They didn't even present any scenario in which we would aim for a production number of less than one.

"That's basically the white flag on any ambition to just stamping this out, and that includes the P1 that's already here, the B1351 that's already here.

"I know it's tough but we've just gotta find that leadership and ambition and determination to bring this thing to an end. I'm as sick of it as everybody else."

Meanwhile, arrivals from 58 countries are now subject to mandatory hotel quarantine after the updated list of high-risk states came into operation this morning.

Those travelling to Ireland from places like Israel, Palestine and Andorra must stay in the facilities for 12 nights at their own expense or else run the risk of jail time or a fine.

Discussions are expected to continue this week on following advice from health officials on adding EU countries and the US to the list, despite opposition from some at the Cabinet table.

Professor Killeen says failing to impose a full quarantine on arrivals from the EU is only going to sustain the epidemic here.

"To do a half baked, or three-quarter baked or even 80% baked is totally pointless.

"It's like living in a paper house and trying to figure out what level of sparks drifting into your house are acceptable.

"It just takes one case of one variant that is beyond what public health people can come up with answers to."