15 more deaths and 310 new cases

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There have been 15 more coronavirus-related deaths and 310 new cases of the disease reported to the Health Department. Ten of these deaths occurred in December.

A total of 2,117 people have died with Covid-19 in Ireland. The total number of infections is 75,203 and this includes the denotation of seven previously confirmed cases.

The number of people in ICU is 36, a decrease of two from yesterday.

There has been a further reduction in the number of people hospitalized in Ireland with Covid-19.

As of 2:30 p.m. today, 202 patients were being treated for the virus compared to 224 yesterday.

This represents the lowest number of people hospitalized with coronavirus since October 11, when there were 201 patients.

Medical Director Dr. Tony Holohan said: “Tomorrow marks 14 days to Christmas Day. To ensure the safest possible interaction with your family during Christmas, consider restricting your movements now.

“Assess the risk of the environments you plan to be in for the next two weeks; are they complying with public health measures? Can you keep a two meter distance? Do people wear face covers?

“Now is the time to make decisions about what interactions are necessary and pose the least risk to you, your family and friends during Christmas.”

Professor Philip Nolan, Chairman of the Epidemiological Modeling Advisory Group of the National Public Health Emergency Team, told a press conference: “The breeding number is now estimated to be between 0.9 and 1.

“This is a testament to the large number of people who continue to limit their contacts and follow public health advice.

“Keep in mind that it is still a very dangerous virus, especially for the elderly and vulnerable.

“We have the knowledge and determination to continue to suppress this disease, to protect our family and friends during Christmas.”

Professor Karina Butler, chair of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, said: “While we await the final analysis of the vaccines by the European Medicines Agency, the FDA analysis of the data on the COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer has confirmed its effectiveness.

“These are encouraging signs. However, it is important to ensure full EMA approval before the vaccine is launched in Ireland.”

Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ronan Glynn said: “It is important that the encouraging plans for the launch of vaccines in 2021 do not distract from the actions we need to take heading into December 2020.

“A vaccine will not have a positive impact on the trajectory of this disease in the next few weeks and it does not give immunity to people during the Christmas period.

“We must not allow Covid-19 to spread through our communities now, after all the efforts we have made throughout 2020 and how close we are to starting vaccinations.”

The 14-day incidence rate per 100,000 population nationally is 79. Counties with the highest rates of Covid-19 include Donegal (230.5), Kilkenny (175.3), Louth (159.8) and Carlow (135.2).

Counties with the fewest infections include Leitrim (18.7), Westmeath (20.3), Kerry (23.7), and Wexford (24.7).

Of the cases reported today, 162 are men, 148 women, and 61% are under 45 years of age.

There were 80 cases in Dublin, 27 in Donegal, 25 in Louth, 15 in Kilkenny, 15 in Waterford, 15 in Tipperary, 15 in Meath, and the remaining 118 cases were distributed to another 16 counties.

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Earlier, the HSE CEO called on people to make personal judgments about what is possible, sensible and safe to do in the coming weeks.

Paul Reid said that the health service was heading into the Christmas and New Year period in a much stronger position than it would have in the past due to investment and existing supports to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, Arlene Foster has confirmed that Covid-19 restrictions in Northern Ireland will be eased tomorrow as planned.

His comments come as Northern Ireland reported an additional 14 coronavirus-related deaths and 441 new confirmed cases. The death toll in the north now stands at 1,099 with 56,719 confirmed infections.

Ms. Foster defended the decision to ease the restrictions. “We have not seen the impact of these last two weeks of restrictions,” he said.

Also today, the government was urged to re-examine its priority list for receiving the Covid-19 vaccine, particularly when it comes to those under the age of 18 who have serious underlying health problems.



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