Initial findings from research into a random sample of healthy people in Dublin and Sligo indicate that less than 5 per cent of the population have been exposed to Covid-19.
The result suggest that Ireland has no significant herd immunity, where 60 to 90 per cent of the population would become immune to a virus to halt it spreading.
Sligo and Dublin were chosen for the research because of them having lower and higher numbers of cases of the virus.
More than 5,000 letters were sent out in Sligo and Dublin asking people to participate in blood tests for Covid-19 antibodies. Fewer than half of people responded.
Dr Cillian De Gascun is director of UCD’s National Virus Reference Laboratory, which helped coordinate the study.
And while vigilance is paramount, he says it’s too early to say we are moving into a second wave or resurgence.
