BREAKING: Covid-19 incidence rate rises again in Limerick, as confirmed cases during the last fortnight reach 666



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The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Limerick has been recorded as 666 in the past two weeks, with 37 new cases confirmed today.

The statistics for this teatime reveal that the incidence rate in the city and county in the last 24 hours has also increased again, from 334.5 per 100,000 people yesterday to 341.7 today. It is above the national average of 220.1 cases.

On Christmas Eve, the incidence rate in Limerick was 250.4 per 100,000 people.

Nationwide, the Health Protection Surveillance Center (HPSC) has been notified of an additional death related to Covid-19. It means there have now been a total of 2,205 deaths from the condition statewide.

There has also been another sharp increase in daily confirmed cases nationwide, up to 765 to bring it to a total of 86,894 since the start of the pandemic in March.

Of the new cases today, 401 are men and 358 are women. Seven out of ten of the new cases are related to people under 45, with the average age now just 33.

Most of the new cases, 291, were reported once again in Dublin, followed by 63 in Cork, 59 in Monaghan, 49 in Louth and 43 in Meath.

The remaining 260 cases are spread across all other Irish counties, including the 37 in Limerick23 in Kerry, 14 in Clare and fewer than five in Tipperary.

At 2:00 p.m., 359 Covid-19 patients are hospitalized, of which 30 are in intensive care. There have been 41 additional hospitalizations in the last 24 hours, five additional admissions to intensive care.

Medical Director Dr. Tony Holohan said: “The data we report today is lower than the days through December 26. However, this is due to factors related to the time of year, such as lower rates of attendance and referrals and presentation for tests over several days during Christmas.

“We look at many metrics when monitoring the severity of COVID-19 disease. Today we report that we have now exceeded the cumulative number of people hospitalized in this third wave than in the second. Hospitalizations have increased dramatically in the last two days. This is it. a worrying trend that reflects the sharp increase in incidence we saw in the last 10 days. “

“We are also seeing a sharp increase in positivity rates in community tests with a seven-day average of more than 9.2 percent versus 5.2 percent on December 18. This indicates that the virus is increasing its presence in our communities. This is just one more reason why we strongly advise everyone to stay safe at home to avoid transmitting or contracting this virus as it continues to circulate widely, “he added.

Dr. Holohan urged people to come forward for testing if they are not feeling well, to be aware of Covid-19 symptoms, and to not delay calling their GP for advice.

He added that people should isolate themselves in their rooms if they have a cough, dever, shortness of breath or a possibility in their sense of smell and taste.

“In addition to staying home, except for essential reasons, these important individual actions will help stop the exponential spread of COVID-19 in our communities and, in turn, protect the most vulnerable, our healthcare system and those who work in first line “. concluded the medical director.



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