Concern over ‘lag effect’ between sharp rise in Covid cases and hospital numbers

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Health officials say they are concerned over the lag effect between a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases and the number of people admitted to hospital with the virus. Health Service Executive boss Paul Reid said there are no indications that Ireland is at the peak of the current wave of Covid cases. Thankfully we haven't seen that transmission to ICU Paul Reid “It sets our priorities for this on a national basis, but also a number of steps to help us in terms resourcing.” Members of the National Public Health Emergency Team previously warned that hospital numbers could peak at more than 2,000. “That is our concern in the coming weeks in particular.” Mr Reid said there are no indications Ireland is at the peak of case numbers, but added that the severity of the Omicron variant is not as strong at an individual level.