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There is strong reason for the “persistent and constant concern” about the recent Covid-19 figures in Ireland, warned Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tony Holohan.
Dr. Holohan said it is not too late for people to make changes to their plans to socialize during Christmas and urged people to keep in mind that they may well be the link in the chain of transmission.
His comments come as five more people died from the virus, bringing the total death toll to 2,154.
The Health Department also reported 527 new cases of the virus.
Dr Holohan said: “The numbers we are seeing on all the key indicators of disease severity continue to give us solid reason for constant and ongoing concern.
“As we move into a week with an exceptionally risky intrafamily and intergenerational mix, remember to act responsibly.
“The numbers that we are seeing on all the key indicators of the severity of the disease continue to give us solid reason for ongoing concern.@CMOIreland # COVID-19
– Department of Health (@roinnslainte) December 19, 2020
“Start this weekend. It is never too late to cut your contacts, cancel plans or avoid a crowd, ”he said.
“Keep in mind that it may well be the link in a chain of transmission that ends with a vulnerable loved one contracting this dangerous disease. Stop that chain of transmission now, limit your movements today. “
The 14-day national incidence rate per 100,000 population now stands at 102.4.
There were 207 Covid-19 patients in the hospital, including 28 in intensive care. There were 12 additional admissions to the hospital in a 24-hour period.
Mutant strain
The director of the National Virus Research Laboratory, Dr Cillian De Gascun, said that a new variant of Covid-19 found in London has not been found here, but said Irish authorities will be on the lookout for the new strain over Christmas. .
Dr. De Gascun said: “Our public health guide here is to avoid non-essential travel, so hopefully we won’t see it imported in the next few weeks, but obviously we do and if we have cases that have returned from the UK, then ‘We will work with our public health colleagues to identify those cases and prioritize them for sequencing.’
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson canceled Christmas for millions of people in London and south-east England after scientists said the new variant of the coronavirus is spreading faster.
On Saturday, Johnson announced that beginning Sunday, the Southeast areas currently at Level 3 will be moved to a new Level 4, effectively reverting to November’s lockdown rules.
Ireland relaxed its Covid-19 restrictions on Friday, allowing inter-county travel over Christmas through Jan.6 and allowing three households to gather inside.
But tighter restrictions will be put in place before the New Year.
Here is a short video describing why NPHET is now so concerned # COVID-19 and what we can all do to protect each other in the days to come pic.twitter.com/SCwswQrS4X
– Dr. Ronan Glynn (@ronan_glynn) December 18, 2020
Taoiseach Micheál Martin confirmed on Friday that pubs and restaurants will be closed before New Year’s Eve.
Ireland
Closing schools next month would bring Ireland back …
He said he would recommend to the Cabinet that bars and restaurants now close early.
Public health chiefs have recommended stricter measures to the government, including closing pubs and restaurants before the New Year and imposing greater restrictions on home visits after Christmas.
It comes after the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) warned that Covid-19 cases are accelerating faster than anticipated after restrictions were eased in early December.
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