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The Health Department has been notified of 922 new cases of Covid-19 today, with eight additional deaths.
Of the current cases, 438 were men, 477 women, and 68% were under 45 years of age. The mean age of the cases was 33 years.
337 cases were recorded in Dublin, 73 in Cork, 70 in Limerick, 56 in Wexford and 43 in Galway. The remaining 343 cases were distributed in all the remaining counties of the Republic.
At 8 a.m. today, there were 255 people undergoing treatment for Covid-19 in the hospital, 22 of whom were in intensive care and 37 patients were admitted in the last 24 hours.
Medical Director Dr. Tony Holohan again urged the public to reconsider their social interactions in the coming days, saying, “This Christmas, the best gift you can give your loved ones is to strictly adhere to public health advice.” .
“Unfortunately, none of the indicators of this disease show encouraging signs. Ireland now has the fastest growing incidence rate in the European Union.
“Stay home, stay safe and stay well. Limit contact as much as you can and make sure you and your loved ones have a safe and happy Christmas, ”added Dr. Holohan.
North Ireland
Eleven more people with Covid-19 have died in Northern Ireland, the region’s Health Department said.
There have also been 841 new confirmed cases of the virus in the last 24-hour reporting period, a sharp increase from recent days.
This comes as Deputy Prime Minister Michelle O’Neill urged people to follow the new lockdown regulations that start from St. Stephen’s Day after confirmation that a new variant of Covid-19 is present in the north.
“We were informed that this variant has likely been around here for some time,” he said.
“Unfortunately, this is the confirmation we have been waiting for and that is why it is essential that we all get the maximum benefit from the blockade that begins on Saint Stephen’s Day.
“There is no current evidence to suggest that this current variant of Covid causes a more severe illness or higher death rate or affects vaccines and treatments. The vaccines have already begun to be distributed among the health personnel who work on the front line and the residents of our residences.
“My call is for everyone to strictly follow Covid regulations and public health councils and be very careful in everything we do during the Christmas period.”
Northern scientific director Professor Ian Young said he was “very concerned” about the new variant because it is more easily transmitted.
Professor Young warned that if the variant becomes the dominant form, it could boost the reproduction number (R rate), a key indicator in the spread of the coronavirus, up to 1.8.
“Right now R is probably between 1 and 1.2, and if we had the variant form and we all behaved the same way, R would be closer to 1.6 and 1.8, and that would have serious consequences,” he told the BBC. Stephen Nolan Show on Radio Ulster.
Back to school
Professor Young said that if the variant becomes the dominant form, schools are highly unlikely to stay open.
He said he did not believe that the variant was currently a “major form” in Northern Ireland, but said he was confident there are a small number of cases.
The Stormont Executive issued guidance earlier this week in response to the appearance of the variant, recommending no non-essential travel between Northern Ireland and Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland.
The Executive also agreed to advise anyone arriving in Northern Ireland and staying for more than 24 hours to isolate themselves for 10 days. It applies to anyone who has arrived since December 22.
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland will enter a new lockdown on St. Stephen’s Day, of which the first week will be the harshest ever imposed in the region.
There will be a curfew to stay home from 8 pm to 6 am during that week. – Additional reports: PA
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