Irish Examiner view: Darkest hour just before winter fades

Dr Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, believes Ireland has passed the worst of the pandemic for this year. Picture: Colins Dublin

As we reach for another warming layer, and as we turn up the temperature dial on the heating controls to fend off the cold snap a promised blanket of snow might bring that old saying: the darkest, coldest hours are just before the dawn, rings true.

Just as spring is at hand, there seems to be a step-change, or at least the very strong hint of one, in our struggle with Covid-19. January's worrying, almost overwhelming surge has ebbed and numbers now seem more manageable though that is not to underestimate the grave challenge faced by those fighting the virus or the vulnerable, exhausted health workers leading that fight.