Government expecting 30% rise in virus cases each day
The Government has called for a "whole of society effort" to help reduce the inevitable rise in Coronavirus cases over the coming days and weeks.
At a press conference this evening, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he was anticipating a 30% increase in the number of cases every day, adding it was possible that up to half of the country's population could ultimately become infected with the virus.
He emphasised that the vast majority of cases would be mild and would not require the patient to be hospitalised, but the priority was to extend the period of time in which people became infected in order to prevent the more serious cases from overwhelming the health service.
Mr Varadkar said he expected the number of cases here to rise to 15,000 by the end of March.
Health Minister Simon Harris indicated that a "a massive national recruitment campaign" would be launched tomorrow in order to expand the health service to help deal with the crisis.
"Anybody that can be hired, will be hired," he said, appealing to retired nurses and doctors, and to medical students, to come forward where possible.
Minister Harris said the Government was also looking at a proposal for emergency childcare for the children of health service workers on the front line.
Meanwhile, Tanaiste Simon Coveney said all Irish residents were being advised against non-essential travel overseas between now and March 29.
He said those who go abroad might not be able to travel back due to the "enormous disruption" which is likely in the airline industry over the weeks ahead.
When the Taoiseach was asked about the tens of thousands of people who had lost their jobs due to the crisis, he said he felt "profound sorrow" for those who found themselves in that situation.
"I doubt that anyone, a few weeks ago, thought that it would come to this," he said. "If you can't find another job in the next few months, once this emergency is over... our first priority will be assisting those who have lost jobs to find jobs."