Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Last week Letterkenny University Hospital saw a significant increase in Covid-19-positive attendances and admissions. There were 84 patients with Covid-19 being treated in the hospital last Wednesday and 11 wards were affected by Covid-19 outbreaks. This will no doubt increase even more following the bank holiday weekend just gone. The INMO has called for the HSE to declare the current overcrowding in hospitals as an emergency situation until Easter at the earliest and I echo this call. It is obvious there is a link between mask-wearing and the reduced transmission of Covid-19. Removing the requirement to wear a mask is clearly having a detrimental effect on our hospitals and this must be addressed as well. Will the Tánaiste's Government declare the current overcrowding in the hospitals is an emergency situation and will he do all he can to address the pressures our healthcare workers are under and ensure day surgeries can continue?

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