Lowest level of new Covid-19 cases seen in 11 weeks

Two more people have died after testing positive for Covid-19.

With less than 24 hours until the Level Five restrictions are lifted, the latest figures from the Center for Health Protection Surveillance show the lowest level of new cases in 11 weeks.

As of midnight Saturday, November 28, 299 new cases had been reported to the HSPC.

This compares with a maximum in the last 11 weeks of 1,025 new cases reported on Sunday, October 18 and 396 new cases reported on Sunday, September 20.

On a positive note for Cork, the latest figures show the lowest number of new cases for the county since September.

Then, they went from less than five in early September to 54 by Sunday, September 27, and peaked at 156 new cases by October 18.

However, they are now less than 13.

Although the number of people receiving treatment in hospital with Covid-19 dropped to 257 from an 11-week high of 320, there is not a huge difference in the number of people receiving treatment at any time in the past two months.

And the number in intensive care units is also almost the same.

On Sunday it was 30 but it was also 30 on October 11.

In one of the latest formal statements from the National Public Health Emergency Team, Dr. Tony Holohan had warned that progress in fighting the virus had “stalled.”

In a Nov. 19 statement, the medical director urged people to “reduce the disease” by limiting their number of daily contacts.

He urged people to follow public health advice to bring the country to a virus reproduction number – the rate of how many people one person with Covid-19 infects others – of “less than 0.5” on Tuesday.

However, that does not appear to have been achieved.

In a briefing just three days ago, HSE Clinical Director Dr. Colm Henry said that the number had, in fact, stalled.

It was between 0.7 and 0.9 for the second week in a row.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin announced last Friday that the country will move to Level 3, with a few exceptions during Christmas.

Starting December 1, hotels, guesthouses and B & Bs can open with limited services only to residents.

Additionally, non-essential retail and personal services may be reopened.

The reopening of retail will put more than 30,000 people back to work.

However, individuals should continue to work from home unless absolutely necessary to attend in person.

As of December 4, restaurants and pubs that function as restaurants and serve a hearty meal may reopen for indoor dining with additional restrictions.

However, the government says higher, continuing and adult education should remain primarily online.

From December 18 to January 6, households can mix with up to two other households and travel outside of their county to be allowed.

In his televised address to the country last Friday, Mr. Martin said, “We trust business owners and we trust their customers.

“We all have an individual personal responsibility.

“The best way we can all show our appreciation for their work is by doing your part to reduce community transmission.”

In a big hit for wet pubs, he said there was no evidence to support his reopening. “We can only get so far safely,” he said.