The COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland: An overview of the health service and economic policy response

Kennelly, Brendan; O'Callaghan, Mike; Coughlan, Diarmuid; Cullinan, John; Doherty, Edel; Glynn, Liam; Moloney, Eoin; Queally, Michelle

OBJECTIVES: To outline the situation in Ireland with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic METHODS: Analyse the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland. Review the key public health and health system responses. RESULTS: Over 1,700 people have died with COVID-19 by July 19(th) while almost 3,000 people had been admitted to hospital with COVID-19. A high proportion of the deaths occurred in nursing homes and other residential centres who did not receive sufficient attention during the early phase of the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: Ireland's response to the COVID-19 crisis has been comprehensive and timely. Transparency, a commitment to a relatively open data policy, the use of traditional and social media to inform the population, and the frequency of updates from the Department of Health and the Health Services Executive are all commendable and have led to a high level of compliance among the general public with the various non-medical measures introduced by the government.