The Department of Health has confirmed a further 3,666 new cases of Covid-19 over the past 24 hours, here in the Irish Republic.
There are 638 patients in hospital with the virus, 130 of whom are confined in intensive care units; 4 more than reported yesterday.
Dr Catherine Motherway (Consultant in Anaesthesia at University Hospital Limerick) has warned that if Covid-19 numbers continue to surge, other areas of the healthcare system will have to close. Medics will continue to try to treat patients, but they may not get the same level of care, as in pre-pandemic times.
The Government is continuing to examine the possibility of subsidising the cost of Antigen tests, however no decision has yet been made on either the notion or the detail, Minister for Finance Mr Paschal Donohoe has confirmed.
Independent.ie (Reporter Paul Hyland) reported yesterday that a leading GP, Dr Mary Favier, reported that one of her patients took five antigen tests, which all came back negative, despite the patient being contagious with Covid-19 virus.
Dr Favier also confirmed that this same situation was being replicated in GP clinics right across Ireland and people should never rely on antigen testings if they are feeling unwell. Dr Favier stated that antigen testing is being used too often in the wrong environments and people need to be PCR tested.
The World Health Organization, (WHO), has warned that as Europe remains in the firm grip of Covid, the continent’s death toll could reach some 2.2 million over this winter if current trends are permitted to continue. According to WHO’s confirmed data, Covid-related deaths in the European region of 53 countries increased last week to nearly 4,200 per day, doubling from 2,100 deaths a day at the end of September 2021.
Meanwhile, the Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan has indicated to Opposition TDs that he does not expect the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) to recommend any further restrictions this coming week.
Another 1,476 new cases of coronavirus were reported in Northern Ireland today, up from 1,469 on yesterday.
There are currently 390 Covid inpatients in hospitals across Northern Ireland, with 33 being treated in intensive care units (ICUs), down 3 on yesterday’s figures. Northern Hospital occupancy is operating at 103%.
Sadly, 4 Covid-19 related deaths have also been reported in the last 24 hours in Northern Ireland today.
Continue to listen to science and do continue to keep yourself and your family safe by regularly washing your hands; wearing a mask when appropriate and cutting down on your social contacts.
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