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Ireland is on the brink of new restrictions after a huge jump in Covid-19 cases on Saturday night.
The Health Department confirmed 1,012 new cases Saturday night, the highest daily jump since the height of the pandemic.
The numbers for hospitals are now increasing, as are those for ICUs, as all levels of this virus deteriorate.
Here are the latest Covid-19 updates this Sunday morning;
Very worrying hospital figures
There are now 201 people in Irish hospitals with Covid-19, the highest number since the height of the pandemic in May.
30 of these people are in the ICU and are of serious concern.
Of these people in intensive care, four are at St James Hospital in Dublin and three are at Tallaght, Letterkenny and Beaumont hospitals.
Leo Varadkar on blocking possibilities
Tanaiste Leo Varadkar has said that another lockdown may be necessary, but it will not be a decision made lightly.
Speaking in the Sunday Independent, the Fine Gael leader said: “It is possible that (the circuit breaker lockout) is necessary at some point. No other country in Europe has tried this. It would be an experiment, but it could work. In Israel it seems to be be producing results.
“I know some say that a circuit break could save Christmas, but I’m not so sure. The problem is that when you are completely blocked it is difficult to get out of there. As we have already learned, reopening is much more difficult than blocking.”
He added: “It breaks my heart to think of it happening a second time.”
‘We are in a bad place’
Speaking after the worrying figures on Saturday night, Minister Simon Harris said: “Let’s be frank and blunt, we are in a bad place. # COVID-19 is well and truly ahead of us.
“People are getting sick again. Patients in hospitals have increased. The number of patients in ICU has increased. This is not a drill. We are in the middle of a second wave. Which path you take is up to YOU.
“We don’t get distracted. We know what to do. Reduce our contacts. Whatever we are doing, each of us individually, is not enough. So tonight talk with your family or housemates about what you can do specifically to reduce contacts, keep your distance, wear face covers, clean surfaces, etc. “
Latest updates
You can follow the latest updates throughout the day on our live blog right here.
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