Ireland is facing the “strong likelihood of an imminent second wave” of coronavirus, as the country reopened before eradicating the virus from the island, a group of leading academics has warned. The group, which includes many high-profile public health experts and epidemiologists, set out how Ireland could move towards a “zero-Covid island”, similar to New Zealand. The country was “now facing the strong likelihood of an imminent second wave”, the group said. “Many businesses will fold, because a second wave will bring a second dip in activity, whether from Government policy, or customer fears, which will extend their losses well into 2021,” it said. “A zero-Covid island is our only viable exit strategy from the ongoing Covid-19 epidemic, which may otherwise last for years or indefinitely,” the group said.

Source: The Irish Times July 15, 2020 01:38 UTC