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The latest surge in new Covid-19 cases highlights the “unpredictable nature” of the deadly virus, according to Dr. Tony Holohan.
On Friday night, it emerged that there were seven more deaths and 482 new cases.
While the medical director praised people for their efforts to stop the spread of the deadly virus, he again urged people to maintain social distancing and take other precautions.
This was so, he said, we can “get to where we need to be on December 1.”
Some 128 of the new cases are in Dublin, 45 in Cork, 43 in Waterford, 24 in Donegal, 24 in Meath, 36 in Limerick, and the remaining 182 cases are spread over 20 other counties.
At 2:00 p.m., 258 Covid-19 patients were in the hospital, of which 35 were in intensive care units, and there were a total of 12 additional hospitalizations.
That equates to 34 fewer in the hospital, two fewer cases in intensive care and 12 fewer additional hospitalizations compared to seven days earlier.
Dr. Holohan said: “The case numbers (are) an important reminder of the unpredictable nature of this highly infectious disease.
“The hard work done by all of us is commendable, but we must not allow our success to lower our guard against the spread of this disease.
“We need to stand firm on public health advice: keep a two meter distance, wash our hands, wear face covers when appropriate, and limit ourselves to essential contacts in our own home.
The latest figures are a stark contrast to those of Monday, November 9, when there was one death and 270 new cases.
This compares with a high of 542 new cases the day before and the 16 deaths reported on Tuesday, November 10.
Last week’s figures show how quickly things can change for the better and for the worse.
For example, on November 6 there were eight new deaths.
Four days later, one was registered.
But the next day, 16 deaths were recorded, of which 14 were new confirmed deaths for the month of November.
The latest figures also show the extent to which the virus is spreading across the country.
For example, on Friday, November 6, new cases were detected in 24 counties.
Seven days later, this had increased to 26 counties.
Hours earlier, it was learned that another 607 people tested positive for Covid-19 and another 11 deaths were recorded in Northern Ireland.
The figures come after Northern Ireland’s political parties disagreed on how to get out of the current circuit breaker restrictions.
The decision has raised concern in the Republic, where the infection rate is four times lower than in Northern Ireland.
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