NPEET expert warns that corona virus could get out of control in Dublin without action.
Professor Philip Nolan said people are misreading the prevalence of COVID-19 in restaurants and bars.
Ministers are debating whether to ban indoor dining in Dublin in the next few weeks – a restriction beyond limits ‘Level Three’ Guidelines The outline was given earlier this week.
An announcement on the action is expected this evening.
Three clusters of COVID-19 recorded official data in pubs and restaurants across the country last week.
However, Professor Philip Nolan commented that even though explosions are rare, asking why they are closed is a misreading and misinterpretation of data.
It is fair to ask: why do restaurants and pubs close when there are so few explosions with such environments? However, it misreads and misinterprets data on explosions and clusters. 1/10 pic.twitter.com/REEUqoin12
– Professor Philip Nolan (resPresident_MU) September 18, 2020
He said people could take COVID-19 in one of those settings, but do not start spreading it for four or three days.
Community transmission cases
The NPETE model said that settings like bars, restaurants and gyms are where people actually take the virus – but that is not reflected in the figures.
He said: “We know that at least a third of Dublin is a community transmission.
“Where does this happen? Wherever we are socially involved: our homes, gyms, bars, restaurants. Sadly, we know the disease will get out of control if we do not stop mixing in these settings.”
If we do not, this virus will kill some of us, saturate our health system, close schools and shock our economy. This is devastating for affected businesses, but we must act now, while the targeted actions will still bring the virus under control. 10/10 pic.twitter.com/Uq1VmfuKOt
– Professor Philip Nolan (resPresident_MU) September 18, 2020
Professor Nolan also warned that public health officials do not have the resources to find the source of community transmission cases.
He said: “Our public health colleagues will find the source if they have the resources for it, but they do not. Priority should be given to dealing with cases, explosions and subsequent broadcasts.”
Main image: File photo of Professor Philip Nolan. Picture: Sam Ball / Rolling News
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