Five things we learned from the Covid-19 briefing

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In a week that saw the launch of a Covid-19 vaccine in Britain, Northern Ireland and the US, it came as no surprise that the vaccines were brought up at tonight’s briefing at the Department of Health.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said that the launch of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will begin one week after its long-awaited approval by the European Medicines Agency.

Today, there were 264 new cases of Covid-19 reported by the Department of Health, as well as two more deaths related to the virus. It brings the total death toll to 2,126.

Here are five things we learned from tonight’s briefing:

Vaccines will not end the Covid-19 pandemic

The executive director of the Health Products Regulatory Authority said that Covid-19 vaccines will not end the pandemic.

Dr. Lorraine Nolan said that while the vaccines are a “hugely positive development,” they are an additional measure in the ongoing fight against the coronavirus.

“Other public health recommendations, such as hand washing, the use of masks and social distancing, will continue to be vital in addressing this pandemic,” he said.

‘Don’t lower the bar’ on vaccines

Dr. Nolan emphasized that although the regulatory process around vaccines was accelerated, there was no compromise in its scrutiny.

“The bar will not be lowered on this,” he said.

He said that many factors have come together to increase the pace of development of Covid-19 vaccines.

Dr. Nolan said that the concerns people have about the speed at which the vaccine has been developed is understandable.

She said there may be the impression that due to these standards they have been removed, but that “is not the case at all.”

Slight increase in coronavirus five-day average

The medical director said in the briefing that there has been a slight increase in the five-day average of the virus.

Dr. Tony Holohan said that despite the drop in the number of new virus cases since yesterday, there is still a change in the pattern of the virus and that we are in a “growing situation.”

“We believe that we are beginning to see a change in the pattern of transmission of the virus,” he said.

Dr. Holohan said that the basic message for people was to plan ahead for the Christmas period and limit social interactions as much as they can now.

‘Different counties have different challenges’

The deputy chief medical officer said there is no factor explaining the increase in Covid-19 cases in some counties.

Dr. Ronan Glynn said at the briefing that “different counties have different challenges” and are still seeing outbreaks in workplaces, as well as in a variety of different settings.

He said the only factor that is common to all counties is people’s individual behavior.

Santa is good to go on Christmas Eve

The children of Ireland need not worry about whether Santa will be safe as he sets out on his important trips around the world on Christmas Eve.

Dr. Tony Holohan assured that due to Covid-19, Santa is planning ahead to make sure this Christmas is as safe as possible.

“From our point of view, we know that he will take all the necessary measures and it will be safe for Santa to come to visit the homes of the children who are good and those who are doing their homework and helping around the house and not fighting with their brothers and sisters and sisters, ”he said.

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