This is calm before the storm, warns Taoiseach

TAOISEACH Leo Varadkar has warned that this week is the “calm before the storm” in the coronavirus pandemic.

Addressing Irish citizens in a rare live broadcast, Mr Varadkar (below) said he expects 15,000 or more cases of Covid-19 in the Republic by the end of the month.

Earlier yesterday, it was announced there were 292 confirmed Covid-19 cases in the Irish Republic.

The Taoiseach said while the virus cannot be stopped, all efforts are being made to “flatten the curve”, but warned this will only work if “everyone takes sustained action”, adding: “Nothing less will do.”

“In short, we are asking people to come together as a nation by staying apart from each other,” he said.

Mr Varadkar said while many want to know when this period will end, “the truth is we don’t know yet”, adding it is likely to go on past March 29.

He also warned that “at some point”, the elderly and those with a long-term illness will be advised to “stay at home for several weeks”.

“We call this ‘cocooning’ and it will save many lives... particularly the most vulnerable... the most precious in our society,” he said.

Turning to the financial cost of the pandemic, Mr Varadkar said the final bill may take years to pay back.

“We went into this crisis with a strong economy and the public finances in good order,” he said.

“We have the capacity and credit rating to borrow billions if we need to.

“I am confident that our economy will bounce back ... but the damage will be significant and lasting. The bill will be enormous.”