Additional reporting by Vivian Clark.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has said that although the R rate has been reduced recently, it is unlikely that the Level 5 restrictions will be lifted before the end of the six – week lockdown.

Echoing Donnally’s statement, tennis leo Varadkar said the earlier – planned move from Londa Down would weaken the progress made in stabilizing growth in case numbers.

Donnelly confirmed yesterday that the country’s R, or regeneration rate, is below one, which is estimated to be somewhere in the 0.7 and 0.9 regions.

He told RTE Radio’s News at One that the National Public Health Emergency Team (NFET) wanted the figures to fall further.

Donnelly said he agreed with Taoist Michelle Martin. He said that once the figures were reduced, steps should be taken to reduce them.

The minister said the focus will be on maintaining level 5 for the next few weeks and the country will open to open in December once the figures are reduced and level 2 or 3 or adopt a local approach. .

“We need to find the best way to open up without increasing the numbers,” Donnelly said.

He said the government would have to see where the virus was at that point and would not be able to provide accurate information on plans for December as it would receive recommendations from NEFET by the end of November. He said he intends to allow retail. Lets toilets to reopen.

The comments come after Donnell said he would implement “minimum additional restrictions” after the end of the current Level 5 lockdown.

“This can only happen if we all follow the basics of infection control,” Donnelly told the Oriya Chas Health Committee yesterday.

In the coming months, the number of Kovid-19s will increase, including “church and alcohol” and “sports celebrations” at party parties.

Violations

Donnelly, who spoke to the committee, added that the corona virus exploits very minor violations.

“People followed it in a letter for seven months and then said, ‘For God’s love, I have to let it go once and for all,’ and let it go one night.”

Public health figures believe the ‘R’ number should drop to 0.5 by next month to reduce the daily Kovid-19 figures to double digits.

Eight deaths and 444 new corona virus cases were confirmed in the Republic yesterday.

Of yesterday’s cases, 158 were in Dublin, 48 in Cork, 36 in Galway and 28 in Limerick, while 174 cases were reported in 19 other countries.

The average age of those diagnosed is 37 years, and 61 percent are under 45 years of age.

New hospitals

Donnelly told the committee that three new hospitals in Cork, Galway and Dublin would be completed by the end of this year.

Elective Hospitals Oversight Group Chairman Prof. Donnelly told members that a “spatial brief” and a casting document were being developed under the guidance of Frank Keane. It was established last year and is conducting a catchment area analysis for new facilities. .