[ad_1]
The number of patients hospitalized with confirmed Covid-19 has been further reduced, according to the latest figures from the Health Service Executive.
There are 1,689 patients with the disease in hospitals, 134 fewer than yesterday.
Of these patients, 215 are in intensive care units.
St. Vincent’s University Hospital in Dublin cares for 119 patients with Covid-19, the largest number in the country.
It is followed by University Hospital Waterford with 118 patients, while University Hospital Limerick has 115.
Overall, there are 26 free adult ICU beds and 12 hospitals are listed as no ICU beds available.
Last night, the number of daily cases in the community reported by health officials fell below 1,000 for the first time since Christmas Eve.
The death toll from the disease now stands at 3,066 after 90 more deaths were reported yesterday.
Latest coronavirus stories
HSE CEO Paul Reid said on Twitter that exactly one year has passed since his organization convened a crisis management team for Covid-19.
“There have been so many sad and hard days. We have not done everything right, but there are many things we have.
“We will continue to do everything possible to protect the public, our patients and our staff,” he wrote.
On this date last year, we convened the HSE Crisis Management Team to # COVID-19. There have been so many sad and difficult days. We do not have everything right, but we have many things. We will continue to do everything possible to protect the public, our patients, and our staff. @HSELive
– Paul Reid (@paulreiddublin) January 27, 2021
The Government confirmed yesterday that Level 5 restrictions will continue until March 5.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the message for the next six weeks is very simple: stay home, do not travel, do not take any trips outside of your 5 km, unless absolutely necessary.
He said hospitals are under enormous pressure and healthcare workers must be protected.
All people arriving in the state are now legally required to self-quarantine for the first time.
People who travel to the country without a negative Covid-19 test along with arrivals from Brazil and South Africa will face a mandatory quarantine period in a hotel of up to 14 days.
The Minister of Reform and Public Expenditure said that the measure to introduce mandatory quarantine is a “really significant step.”
Michael McGrath said the priority for extending Level 5 restrictions is to take pressure off the hospital system, but the measures will also address the level of risk associated with international travel.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, he said it is necessary to keep critical supply lines open and allow movement of those who need to travel for “really essential purposes.”
The minister said that to date 140 files have been forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecution of people who have arrived in Ireland without a negative PCR test.
Mr. McGrath also said that reopening schools is a key government priority and that “there will certainly be news and updates on that front over the next week.”
He said Education Minister Norma Foley is working behind the scenes with education stakeholders and that any decisions will be made together with them, but any returns will start with children with significant additional needs.
Previously, the co-leader of the Social Democrats, Róisín Shortall, said that the government’s announcement yesterday was very disappointing and was far from what the country needs and what the people want.
He said there was no clear strategy, just a plan to continue with the closures, which he said cannot be sustained.
Speaking about the same program, Ms Shortall said she was concerned about the home quarantine proposals, which would pose serious difficulties for many people, particularly those living in small houses or apartments.
The Garda Representatives Association said increased travel restrictions will require a clear plan to be developed, resourced and communicated to gardaí.
GRA Deputy Secretary General Dermot O’Brien said its members are “in the dark” regarding the implementation of the proposed new quarantine and travel restrictions.
He said legislation exists to support enforcement of the 5km rule, but added that “we don’t want to clog” Garda stations with people who are outside their 5km limit without a reasonable excuse.
[ad_2]