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A total of 764 more people have tested positive for coronavirus in Ireland, while four more deaths have been confirmed.
It brings the number of infections here to 79,542 since the pandemic began.
The latest figures were announced by the Health Department tonight.
A total of 284 of the new cases occurred in Dublin, 70 in Limerick, 52 in Donegal, 44 in Cork, 37 in Wexford, and the remaining 277 cases are spread over 20 other counties.
Medical Director Dr. Tony Holohan issued a stern warning after the huge increase in cases.
He said: “All indicators of the severity of the disease are moving in the wrong direction, faster than we had anticipated. We are particularly concerned about the possibility of intergenerational mixing during the holiday season. On December 11, the 7-day incidence rate for 19-44 year olds was 106 per 100,000 residents, and yesterday this rate had more than doubled to 217 per 100,000. If these younger people come into contact with loved ones over 65, we could see an increase in infections in this most vulnerable group. This would lead to a very serious pattern of illness, hospitalizations, ICU admissions and unnecessary deaths. “
“If you’ve been socializing in the last few weeks or this weekend, carefully consider your Christmas plans. Is it responsible to meet with your family over 65 later this week, if you have not kept your contacts low? Should you cancel your plans? We have the very real prospect of COVID-19 vaccines on the horizon. Make sure your loved ones are still alive to receive them, keeping your distance from them if you have not restricted their movements to this point. As difficult as it may sound, staying away from the older family this Christmas will protect them, and it would be an exceptional sacrifice made for the common good. “
(Image: Collins Agency, Dublin)
It comes after gardai called a gathering of up to 800 people at a “car meeting” in Cork as “shameful.”
Officers were called to the Little Island area of the county Saturday night with more than 250 vehicles and between 750 and 800 people gathered.
Gardai arrested a person at the scene for “drunken crimes” while the meeting broke up and people were told to go home.
A garda spokesperson said: “There was very little evidence of social distancing, wearing face covers, or general adherence to public health guidelines.
“The ages of the participants included older men in their 30s and 40s, some accompanied by young children, but mainly men and women in their 20s. The participants had traveled from outside the greater Cork area and various parts of Munster.”
Speaking last night, the senior Garda inspector at the event described “an embarrassing gathering of people, despite health advice in recent days.”
A Garda spokesperson added: “Gardaí immediately engaged with this large group and advised them to disperse, a direction that was fulfilled by all present in a short period of time.
“There were no public order incidents and enough Gardaí attended the scene to effectively disperse the gathering.
“A man, in his 20s, was arrested for drunkenness, then charged and released on bail to appear in court at a later date, and a car was impounded under section 41 of the Traffic Act vial “.
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