Free antigen testing and faster distribution of booster shots, as well as ventilation measures in schools and workplace, are urgently needed to bring the fourth wave of Covid-19 under control.
This is the view of People Before Profit Galway’s Adrian Curran, who was speaking following his party’s call on the Government to adopt various measures to ease the burden on the public health system, resulting from the fourth wave.
PBP is also calling on the Government to take over private health capacity to ease pressure on public health. “Our hospital system is being overrun and our health workers are beyond exhausted at this stage,” said Mr Curran. “It is absolutely essential for the State to step in.”
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Currently, the State’s ICU capacity is little more than half the average for OECD countries. As a result, PBP Galway said at least 250 additional ICU beds are needed to reach the OECD average. However, the Government plans to add just 19 ICU beds next year.
“We need to dramatically increase our healthcare capacity, not only for the crisis, but also for the future so that we can move to a fully public health system,” said Mr Curran [pictured below].
PBP Galway is also calling for the provision of free antigen tests, ensuring schools and workplaces have proper ventilation, Co2 monitors, and where appropriate HEPA air filters, and for the ramping up of the booster programme.
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“It has been clear for a long time that the Government has failed to control Covid infections and rested on their laurels once vaccination among adults reached 90 per cent,” he said. “They have run down test and trace, and have kept their heads in the sand about schools.”
Mr Curran is calling on the Government to support PBP’s Bill on ventilation and move to make sure all schools and workplaces have proper ventilation and Co2 monitors.
