Ireland’s Health Service Executive (HSE) has placed massive orders for Covid-19 testing equipment and protective gear.
Plans for “field hospitals” for those less seriously ill have been put in place at hotels which have been closed due to the outbreak.
On Saturday night, 177 people were in hospital with Covid-19, up from 151 on Friday morning. The HSE said that 40,000 people are currently waiting to be tested for coronavirus in Ireland.
Templemore Garda training centre in Co Tipperary has also been made available, as well as naval boats used for testing centres.
The aim is that people who are less sick can be treated outside a hospital.
Chief executive Paul Reid said: “We are implementing this process at pace.”
A total of 1,200 people are involved in contact tracing positive cases and a major recruitment campaign for new staff is under way.
Mr Reid said: “The health system will be under stress like we have never known before.
“We are working around the clock to secure medical supplies.
A total of 50 test centres are expected to be set up, Mr Reid said.
He added: “We have flexibility and will go to areas in need.”
There has been a huge increase in demand for testing because everyone with symptoms has been asked to self-isolate and await a test.
Almost 40,000 sample test kits are being distributed. Another 20,000 will be in Ireland by Wednesday.
Ireland is at an advanced stage of negotiations with China to secure a further 100,000 kits and good progress is being made, the chief executive added.
ICU capacity has been increased and progress is also being made in getting extra ventilators.
Ireland has placed a total order for protective equipment for healthcare staff of more than 200 million euro with China.
The Republic usually spends €15 million a year on personal protective equipment.
Spending since January had already hit €60 million.
A total of 11 million masks, one million face shields and one million goggles are on order.
Another 400,000 gowns and suits are also being purchased.
A total of 1,000 doctors put their names forward to a recruitment campaign, 200 of whom are not working in the healthcare system.
“It is a very difficult worldwide market and we are making progress.”
