HEALTH OFFICIALS in Ireland have vehemently dismissed reports which suggest that the country has reached and passed its Covid-19 peak.
Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer of the Department of Health, slammed the study, describing it is "not reliable".
Data published by the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington had stated that the peak use of both hospital and ICU beds had passed on April 4, and that peak deaths related to Covid-19 had passed on April 6.
At the National Public Health Emergency Team press briefing on Tuesday, Holohan said: "I'm aware of [the report] and it simply isn't true and it's not reliable.
"That is not something people should either listen to or rely upon."
Ireland experienced 16 deaths due to coronavirus on April 6, and 36 on April 7, the highest daily tally in the Republic so far.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn explained how the study had reached a rather hasty conclusion from a limited amount of data.
"From what we can tell from that model, which isn't really a model to be honest, it took existing case data and basically suggested that because things seems to have stabilised over a short number of days that perhaps we've reached a peak," Glynn said.
"It doesn't take into account any change that might happen over the coming days and it doesn't take into account the fact that we're reporting the highest number of deaths this evening."
Dr Glynn went on to warn that the study could given undue "complacency at a certain time where we can't afford that".
It was announced on Tuesday that Ireland would be introducing new laws whereby gardai will have the power to detain, fine and even jail individuals who flout current social distancing and movement restrictions.
