The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned of "very significant" resurgences in Covid-19 cases in Europe, while an infectious disease specialist has said a second wave of the virus in Ireland is "inevitable".
The global organisation revealed mainland Europe had seen an increase in weekly cases of coronavirus for the first time in months as restrictions imposed to curb the spread of the virus are eased.
Dr Hans Henri Kluge, WHO regional Director, said in 11 countries, which have not been named, accelerated transmission had led to "very significant" resurgences.
If left unchecked, Dr Kluge warned health systems would be "pushed to the brink".
"For weeks, I have spoken about the risk of resurgence as countries adjust measures" he said.
"In several countries across Europe, this risk has now become a reality - 30 countries have seen increases in new cumulative cases over the past two weeks."
Meanwhile, Professor Paddy Mallon, an infectious disease specialist, yesterday told the Oireachtas Special Committee on Covid-19 Response that he believes it is inevitable Ireland will experience a resurgence of cases as restrictions are relaxed and more travel permitted.
Professor Mallon said the stress test on the system would come in August with holidays and more travel, and then the onset of seasonal flu.
He said that ongoing community transmission, together with the resurgence of cases in Lisbon and the outbreaks reported in Germany highlight that Ireland is still very much within a geographical high risk zone for Covid-19.
"The first stress test to the system is going to be what happens in August as the Irish people decide whether they will travel overseas or not because we will inevitably have imported cases coming back into the country - that is going to stress the system," he said.