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Taoiseach Micheal Martin has confirmed that he would like to return to Level 3 restrictions by December 1st. “That was a goal,” he said.
This is 362 new cases of Covid-19 and the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) reported two more deaths on Wednesday.
Of the reported deaths, one occurred in October and another remains under investigation.
Mr. Martin said they were analyzing the data and could look at certain sectors to see if they could “moderate” Level 3.
Level 3 restrictions allow restaurants, cafes and bars to remain open for takeout delivery and alfresco dining for up to 15 people. Museums and other covered cultural spaces remain closed, while outdoor events can have a maximum of 15 people. A maximum of six visitors is allowed in the home of a single person from another household.
The latest figures bring the total number of confirmed cases to 66,247 and the total number of Covid-related deaths to 1,965.
Of the cases reported on Wednesday, 55% are under 45 years old. The highest number of cases was registered in Dublin (90) with 48 in Donegal, 34 in Limerick, 29 in Louth, 24 in Cork and the remaining cases are distributed in another 21 counties.
As of 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, 280 Covid -19 patients are hospitalized, of which 38 are in the ICU. There have been 21 additional hospitalizations in the last 24 hours.
Medical Director Dr. Tony Holohan said: “The disease profile is improving and while this is a positive trend, it does not mean it is time to step back from our adherence to public health guidelines. I urge everyone to redouble their efforts, try to have fewer close contacts this week than last week, continue with social distance, and follow the other vital public health guidelines. “
He thanked people who isolated themselves after receiving a positive result or being identified as a close contact. He said this was a vital measure in efforts to contain the spread of the disease.
Sprouts
Meanwhile, the number of new Covid-19 outbreaks in workplaces, daycare centers and hospitals increased last week, despite the overall drop in the number of cases.
There was also an increase in the number of new outbreaks in private homes, to 443 from 320 the previous week.
However, school outbreaks decreased in number, from 30 to 24, as did outbreaks in tertiary universities, from seven to five and in nursing homes, from eight to three.
There were 11 outbreaks in hospitals, three more; 15 at workplaces, up to four; and 11 in nurseries, two more. An outbreak or conglomerate is defined as at least two cases.
Last week also saw a large increase in “community outbreaks”, down to 21 from six the previous week. Clusters of the virus in residential outbreaks fell from 16 to seven.
A total of 572 new clusters were registered last week, compared to 480 the previous week.
A breakdown of outbreaks in the workplace shows one in meat plants, four in construction, and 10 in “other” workplaces. There were 32 new cases in the workplace last week.
Seven new outbreaks were registered in vulnerable groups; two of each in the Roma community and in direct care centers and three among travelers.
A new high-level government committee to handle the deployment of Covid-19 vaccines in the state held its first meeting on Wednesday morning.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin told Dáil that the state will receive around 1 percent of the vaccines available through the EU’s collective purchasing scheme. The EU will purchase approximately 300 million units of the innovative coronavirus vaccine developed by BioNTech and Pfizer.
The Taoiseach said that people vulnerable to Covid-19 would be prioritized once safe vaccines to prevent the virus are approved and ready.
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