He said a “massive effort by all” is needed to relieve the pressure.
HSE chief Paul Reid has said the impact of Covid-19 is “hitting hard” and causing “unrelenting” demands on staff across the health service.
Reid issued the virus update on Saturday morning (30 October), before 2,966 new cases of Covid were confirmed in Ireland.
Meanwhile, as of 8am on Saturday, 470 Covid-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 92 are in intensive care units.
The @hpscireland has today been notified of 2,966 confirmed cases of #COVID19.
As of 8am today, 470 #COVID19 patients are hospitalised, of which 92 are in ICU.
— Department of Health (@roinnslainte) October 30, 2021
Earlier in the week, Deputy Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Ronan Glynn said Covid-19 case numbers and hospital figures, as well as the virus’ incidence rate, were all “continuing to increase” in Ireland.
“We are seeing significant pressure on our hospital system as a result of the profile of disease at present. We’re seeing cancellation of elective activity. We’re seeing significant staff absences,” Glynn said.
On Saturday, Reid took to Twitter to give an update on Covid-19’s impact on the health service.
“Covid-19 impacts are hitting hard with unrelenting and increasing demands on staff in hospitals, ICUs, A&E departments, testing, vaccinations,” he wrote.
“We’re striving to meet all. A massive effort by all of us on the public health measures is needed to relieve this and turn it around.”
#COVID19 impacts are hitting hard with unrelenting & increasing demands on staff in Hospitals,ICUs,A&E Departments,testing,vaccinations, We're striving to meet all. A massive effort by all of us on the public health measures is needed to relieve this & turn it around.@HSELive
— Paul Reid (@paulreiddublin) October 30, 2021
His statement comes after a Dublin-based GP revealed on Friday she is seeing patients that are reluctant to get Covid-19 tests.
Running a practice in Mulhuddart, Dr Edel McGinnity said she believes there is a “narrative developing” that the pandemic is “over”, claiming that people are “astonished” when told they need a test for the virus.
Main image via Sasko Lazarov / Photocall Ireland
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