Tackling Omicron wave like having 'one arm tied behind our back', says Reid

HSE CEO Paul Reid speaking to media in Dr Steevens Hospital at a weekly HSE operational update on the response to Covid-19. Picture: Leah Farrell / Photocall Ireland

Despite growing evidence that Omicron is less severe than previous variants of Covid-19, the “extraordinarily high” case numbers are still putting the health service under strain, according to the HSE.

Its chief executive Paul Reid said the case numbers — which now routinely exceed 18,000 a day — combined with the 15,000 health staff out of work due to Covid-related issues, means that “it’s like tackling this wave with one arm tied behind our back”.