Thurles Information

Omicron Cases rise to 14,797 on Irish Mainland in past 24 hours; an increase of 556 new confirmed cases, on yesterday’s reported tally.

The Department of Health has confirmed a further 10,414 cases of Covid-19, within the past 24 hours, here in the Irish Republic. Same comprises 5,605 PCR-confirmed cases, and 4,809 antigen tests logged through the HSE portal

Over the past 7 days there have been, sadly 49 further coronavirus-related deaths, bringing the total number of deaths since the start of the pandemic, in the Irish Republic, to 6,136.

Thankfully, while the numbers of infections rise, the number of people hospitalised with the virus has fallen over the past 24 hours to 739; latter a reduction of 85 patients on yesterday’s reported figures and of these, 74 remain in intensive care units across the country, down 5 on yesterday.

As of yesterday also, a total of 7,638,769 Covid-19 vaccines (excluding boosters) had been administered in the Republic of Ireland, with a total of 3,773,445 people having had their first dose; 3,627,430 their second dose and a further 237,894 single-dose vaccines having been administered. Total booster vaccinations stand at 2,666,201.

In Northern Ireland, another 4,383 cases of coronavirus were reported today, down from 5,023 reported yesterday.

Today, there remain 395 patients with Covid-19 in hospitals in Northern Ireland, up from 393 on yesterday’s figures, with 22 of these patients in hospital intensive care units, up from 21 also on yesterday.

Sadly, 9 more Covid-19-related deaths have been, also, reported in Northern Ireland today.

Germany has reported a new record of 164,000 Covid-19 infections yesterday, in just one day, as their lower house of parliament debate proposals to either require or robustly encourage residents to be vaccinated.

France reported 501,635 new cases of coronavirus yesterday, a new daily record and the first time the Covid numbers has surpassed half a million. More than 30,000 people are in hospital with coronavirus across France in the highest such tally since November 2020, official figures show.

Please continue the downward virus hospital trend by getting your booster vaccination dose, as soon as applicable.

The Department of Health here in the Irish Republic have confirmed 3,692 new cases of Covid-19, with an additional 4,347 people registering a positive antigen test through the HSE portal. Same numbers further confirm, a total of 8,039 new virus cases, latter a decrease of 177 based on the numbers reported in the same 24 hour period yesterday.

There are 885 people with Covid-19 in our Republic’s hospitals, up 40 on yesterday, and of these 76 are in ICU, down 3 on yesterday.

With some 8,000 health service staff remaining out of work, due to the virus; there remain high numbers of people still presenting themselves at emergency departments around the country, according to the Health Service Executive’s Chief Operations Officer, Ms Anne O’Connor.

From today onwards, following the announcement of the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, on Friday last, employers can now start bringing staff back into their previous workplace.

Irish prison visits are expected to resume this week, with one ‘in-person’ visit every two weeks, and a video visit on the alternate week.

The Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), which has closed for new applications from January 22nd, will move back to a weekly rate of €208, with effect from payments made on March 8th next.

In Northern Ireland, a further 3,932 cases of coronavirus been confirmed today, up 873 further cases on figures reported yesterday.
Today also, there were 371 patients with Covid-19 in northern hospitals, with 23 of these in intensive care units.
Sadly, 1 Covid-19-related death has also been reported today in Northern Ireland.

Australia has recorded yet another surge of deaths, due to Covid-19, as an outbreak of the highly contagious Omicron variant peaks.
Australian authorities have warned that numbers could continue to rise further, as schools return next week from their end-of-year holidays.
The States of New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, have confirmed 58 deaths, despite more than 9 in 10 Australians, aged over 12, having had two doses of one or other a coronavirus vaccine.

Herr Hans Kluge, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) European director has stated that he believes the Omicron variant has moved the Covid-19 pandemic into a new phase and could bring it to an end within Europe.

Meanwhile, in Brussels yesterday, police were forced to use water cannon and tear gas in an effort to breakup an estimated 50,000 people parading through the Belgian capital. All were protesting against Covid-19 rules, while some became involved in hurling paving stones and firecrackers.

Please continue the downward virus hospital trend by getting your booster vaccination dose, as soon as applicable.