Well Charlestown/Curry native and renowned medic Dr. Michael Ryan has been very conspicuous in recent weeks in his role as Director of the World Health Organisation’s Health Emergencies Programme, leading the team responsible for the containment and treatment of Covid-19.
He has been commenting on the huge upsurge in cases in Ireland over the Christmas and new year period which have stretched our hospitals and intensive care units to breaking point as positivity rates continue to go through the roof which has resulted in a third lockdown with society almost ground to a halt.
Dr. Ryan believes increased socialisation and the lack of social distancing is at the root cause of the spike which sees Ireland having the highest rate of infections anywhere in in the world. People dropped their guard and increased their number of social contacts which Dr. Ryan believes has resulted in this latest and most venomous surge which has placed enormous strain on the health system as the medics brace themselves for battle to keep people alive. Dr. Ryan urges people to stay at home and limit their contacts as this represents the best chance of suppressing the virus as we try to turn the tide and bring the case numbers down.
Dr. Ryan doesn’t mince his words and is at pains to point out the need to restrict our movements and keep our distance if we are to avoid a scenario that happened in Italy back in the March/April when we witnessed some very distressing scenes indeed. Wise words as always from Dr. Ryan who remains one of the foremost speakers and experts on this deadly, lingering virus.