One death, 395 new cases and R is 0.6



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There has been one coronavirus-related death and 395 new cases of the disease reported to the Department of Health in the last 24 hours.

A total of 1,965 people have died with Covid-19 in Ireland. This includes denoting a death.

The total number of cases is 66,632, including the denotation of 10 previously confirmed cases.

The number of people in ICU is 39, an increase of one compared to yesterday. There are 279 coronavirus patients in hospitals, with 20 admissions in the last 24 hours.

Of the cases reported today, 132 are in Dublin, 31 in Cork, 27 in Donegal, 27 in Limerick, 27 in Galway and the remaining 151 cases are spread across 18 other counties.

Almost two thirds (65%) are under 45 years of age and include 197 men and 198 women.

Professor Philip Nolan, President from The Irish Epidemiological Modeling Advisory Group of the National Public Health Emergency Team said: “We estimate that the reproduction number R is now at 0.6.

“The data suggests that Level 3 measures stabilized the number of cases, while Level 5 measures were necessary to suppress transmission, especially when infection rates are high. If we maintain our efforts, we can reduce infection to levels very low”.

Professor Nolan said the number of admissions to the hospital remains “around 20” per day.

“At best, they’ve leveled off, but there hasn’t been a significant reduction in these admissions.”

Medical Director Tony Holohan said: “Not all parts of the country have experienced the same reductions in disease incidence.

“For example, the 14-day incidence in Donegal is 281 per 100,000, compared to the national average of 135 per 100,000.

“The country as a whole may succeed in suppressing this disease to low levels in the coming weeks.

“We have achieved a great suppression during the Tier 5 period, the next few weeks offer us the opportunity to further reduce transmission.”

When asked if Donegal is likely to remain under Tier 5 restrictions at the end of the month, Dr. Holohan said there was still time for “significant improvements”.

Deputy Chief Physician FromDr Desmond Hickey said that Ireland now has the second lowest incidence rate of Covid-19 in 14 days per 100,000 inhabitants in the EU.

“Ireland has seen a 52% decrease in the incidence of the disease in 14 days,” he told a news conference tonight.


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HSE group leader for acute hospitals, Dr. Vida Hamilton, said the number of Covid cases continues to decline.

“Our case count has stagnated in our intensive care units. There were three admissions and three discharges in the last 24 hours and sadly one person died.”

He added: “We are seeing an increase in assistance to the Emergency Department, which is a positive indication that the public continues to access medical care from Covid and others.”

Earlier today, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar advised people looking to book flights home for Christmas not to do so just yet.

Speaking at the Dáil, Varadkar said it was “too early” for people to book flights back to Ireland.

Dr. Holohan said that he would also advise people not to embark on any non-essential trips.

This Christmas, he said, large family gatherings or office parties “would not be possible” as we try to get through the holiday period “as safely as possible.”

When asked if people will be able to travel outside of their counties at the end of the month, he said NPHET would give advice on the matter in two weeks, but was “optimistic” that the public health council would allow it.

His comments came as two privately operated Covid-19 test centers were opened at Cork and Shannon airports.

Also today, the Irish Airline Pilots Association called for the urgent introduction of a mandatory rapid antigen testing regime to reopen the aviation sector.

HSE CEO Paul Reid told a press conference this afternoon that 78,245 lab tests were completed in the past seven days.

Some 14,000 contact tracing calls were made.

About 5.4% of the 7,212 new cases of Covid-19 identified in the last 14 days, 389 people, have gone to the hospital and 21 of those admitted to the ICU.

Mr. Reid said that there were admissions to the ICU in a variety of age groups.

Meanwhile, the Northern Ireland Department of Health announced that another 15 people with Covid-19 have died. The official death toll stands at 825.

It also confirmed 548 additional cases of the virus. Now 45,241 cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in Northern Ireland.

Stormont’s power-sharing executive will meet this afternoon to continue discussions on how to agree on a policy on Covid-19 restrictions.



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