Health Minister Says There's 'Pretty Strong Evidence' That Superspreader Events Are Linked To Wet Pubs

• News Home
• More from Coronavirus

Sunday, November 29th, 2020 1:53pm

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Messenger
• Share on Messenger
• Share on Twitter
• Share on Whatsapp

Last week the government announced they would not reopen over the Christmas period

New data is said to have influenced their decision.

The study, by consultants EY, found an increase in 14 day infection rates in Cork, Limerick and Galway cities when they opened in late September.

Minister Stephen Donnelly says there's growing evidence that wet pubs contribute to superspreader events:

'Pubs unfortunately become places, in spite of the very, very best efforts of publicans around the country, where people do let their guard down. We begin to talk a little bit louder we begin to get a little bit closer to each other. And these so called Super spreading events, and there's mounting evidence that about 10% of these of these events cause about 80% of the cases. We do have pretty strong evidence now that they are linked to combinations including things that happen in web pubs.'

More from Coronavirus

• COVID19 UPDATE: 93 New Deaths, 2,001 New Cases - 204 here in Cork

  The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been notified of 93 additional deaths related to COVID-19.

• EU urges all member states to have 70% of population vaccinated by summer

  The EU is urging every country to have 70% of its population vaccinated against Covid-19 by the summer.

• TDs warn of fourth and fifth lockdown if government doesn't change COVID policy

  A number of TDs have warned a fourth and fifth lockdown will be on the cards if the government doesn't change its COVID policy.

• Leading immunologist says level 5 should remain until COVID19 case numbers drop to below 10

  A leading immunologist believes level 5 lockdown measures should remain in place until daily COVID19 case numbers drop to below 10.

• Calls for clarity on the reopening of special schools, which is supposed to take place on Thursday

  Audio

  Unions have cast doubt on the return to school for special needs children, over concerns about the health and safety of teachers and SNAs. 

• Deal to get GPs and pharmacists administering the COVID vaccine has been given the go-ahead

  Audio

  From next month they will be able to give people the AstraZeneca vaccine

• The number of people with Covid-19 in hospital has fallen for the first time since Christmas Day

  1,954 patients with the disease are receiving treatment on wards

• Calls for Education Minister to reconsider plans to reopen special schools and classes

  The Education Minister is being urged to engage with stakeholders on an hourly basis to address the education of children with special needs.

• CMO hopeful close contact testing can resume soon

  The Chief Medical Officer says it's hoped testing of close contacts can resume as soon as possible.

• Abdominal Pain, Nausea, Fatigue, Dizziness Among Reported Side Effects Of Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine.

  The Health Products Regulatory Authority says up to last Monday, it has been notified of 81 mild to moderate suspected cases.

• HSE: Hospitals Are Coping With Current Levels Of Covid But Remain Under Significant Pressure

  A further 8 deaths linked to the virus were confirmed last night with 2,121 new cases including 236 in Cork.

• 2,121 Newly Confirmed Covid-19 Cases Today, Including 236 In Cork

  8 additional deaths have been reported by the Dept of Health