The health service in Kerry will still be dealing with the impact of COVID-19 for a long time even after the rate of the virus drops.
That’s according to Chair of the Kerry HSE Area Crisis Management Team, Michael Fitzgerald, who says the health service is under significant pressure due to the current high infection rate.
Mr Fitzgerald is appealing to everyone to continue to stay at home and to ask themselves if a journey is essential before embarking on it.
He says everyone has a role to play in protecting hospitals, nursing homes and healthcare workers.
Mr Fitzgerald added the roll-out of the vaccine programme means there is hope on the horizon but we need to continue to heed the public health guidelines.