An Grúpa Neamhspleách um Abhcóideacht Eolaíochta

A Better Way Forward: Toward Elimination of COVID-19

The Independent Scientific Advocacy Group (ISAG) is a multidisciplinary group of scientists, academics, and researchers who have come together to advocate for a SARS-CoV-2 elimination strategy for the island of Ireland.
 
ISAG has published several papers outlining its strategy and recommendations, and hosts regular public meetings and press conferences, often with invited guest experts in their respective fields.
 
Founded by Anthony Staines, Gerry Killeen, and Tomás Ryan in June 2020, ISAG is independent of government. All of our members are volunteers and they freely commit their time every week to discuss the COVID-19 science that underpins the Irish and Northern Irish government’s response strategies.
 
If you have any queries or would like to support the group, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Once again, we are at a critical juncture in our response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

There is a global surge of infection linked to the delta variant and the UK, our nearest neighbour, has decided to lift all pandemic related restrictions on personal behaviour, social mixing and economic activity from July 19th.  

Watch the recording of the discussion, led by Prof. Gabriel Scally, University of Bristol, on Weds the 14th of July, about the issues and our options.

ISAG Public Meeting – Have we had enough fairy-tale epidemiology and wishful thinking: How should Ireland respond to the current Delta wave?

Ireland, NI and England show continued increases in confirmed cases, global trend upward, explosion of case numbers in the Netherlands

Situation update, July 14th 2021

• Continuation in increase of confirmed cases in Northern Ireland. Majority of cases in younger age groups, but recent noticeable increase in highly vaccinated >60 age groups also.
   

• Continuing sharp increase of cases in England. Not clear yet if cases in Scotland have peaked, or have just experienced a recent bump before returning to trend. Rate of growth has slowed considerably in Wales.
   

• In ROI, 7-day average of cases increasing, with the more transmissible Delta variant taking over.
   

• 19-24 age group stand out with greatest concentration of cases, with increasing trend in cases in 13-18 age group over past fortnight too
   

• Substantial increase in numbers fully vaccinated since last update. Note children are not included in vaccination percentage numbers.
   

• Global confirmed cases have started increasing again in recent weeks
   

• Explosion of cases in Netherlands, mostly amongst unvaccinated population, after lifting of most restrictions (since reversed). Stark contrast to Germany, showing consequences of decisions and policies
   

Download the latest Situation Update from 14/7 as PDF >

Choosing our future relationship with COVID-19

Ireland is a wealthy country, with a reasonable health service; many countries are far less equipped. We have choices.

Watch the meeting from 30/6 on YouTube >

How Vaccines+ can be the Way to Get Out and Stay Out of Lockdowns

As the UK looks at delaying the lifting of coronavirus restrictions, Prof. Aoife McLysaght will discuss this with Dr. Gabriel Scally. 
Watch the meeting (26/6) on YouTube >

Tomás Ryan: Ireland is at risk of a Covid surge after the UK's radical and reckless move 

Ireland is in a precarious position and our neighbours are not making it easy.

Read the article in the Sunday Independent (11/7) [Opens in external site]

Travel, Hospitality, Vaccination and COVID-19

What's the prudent approach to essential and non-essential travel? Anthony Staines, Aoife McLysaght and Gerry Killeen address how we can manage and reduce risks.

Watch the meeting (23/6) on YouTube >

© 2021 Independent Scientific Advocacy Group.