Thurles Information

The Department of Health in the Irish Republic have confirmed 6,329 additional PCR cases of Covid-19, as well as 4,810 positive antigen tests registered online, thus confirming a total of 11,139 new virus cases within the State within the last 24 hours.

As of 8:00am this morning, there were 1,006 patients, with Covid-19, in the Republic’s hospitals, an increase of 41 on yesterday and of those, 97 patients are in intensive care units around the country, up 9 on yesterday’s tally.

University Hospital Limericks, serving North Tipperary, announced yesterday that they will be implementing visitor restrictions. These restrictions come as the hospital attempts to manage a covid-19 outbreak, affecting three wards, at their Dooradoyle medical facility.

In South Tipperary, visiting restrictions at Tipperary University Hospital in Clonmel have also been suspended until the end of January, caused again due to the current rate of Covid-19 within the immediate community.

Professor of Immunology at Maynooth University, Mr Paul Moynagh has stated that he believes that the Omicron virus wave has now peaked, but warns it is difficult to be completely sure.

Northern Ireland’s Department of Health has confirmed a further 3,295 coronavirus cases today, up from the 2,518 cases reported on yesterday.

Today, there were 394 patients with Covid-19 in hospitals in Northern Ireland, down from 402 previously reported on Friday last, while of these patients, 28 are in hospital intensive care units.

Northern Ireland’s Department of Health has also, sadly, reported 4 Covid-19 related deaths today, with their total deaths tally, since the start of the pandemic, now registering at 3,042.

Just three weeks before the Winter Olympics are due to commence, the number of Covid-19 cases in China have reached their highest since March 2020. Authorities have now tightened regulations for those arriving into the capital from elsewhere in China. Schools and some tourist sites in the capital have now been closed.

In Japan the government there is discussing whether to impose a quasi-state of emergency in their capital, Tokyo and its environs this week, in an effort there to contain a surge in Covid-19 infections.

However, Authorities in India’s capital Delhi and financial hub Mumbai, have reported a substantial decline in Covid-19 infections over the past two days, with most of those who contracted the virus having recovered at their home.

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

The Department of Health has confirmed a further 14,555 new PCR-confirmed cases of Covid-19, with 5,406 positive antigen tests logged through the HSE portal; thus confirming a total of 19,961 new cases within the Irish Republic in the last 24 hours.

The number of people currently hospitalised with the virus today stands at 940; a reduction of 80 on yesterday’s tally and of those being treated in hospital, 89 continue to remain in intensive care; up 6 on yesterday’s reported figures.

There have been 2,537,237 booster vaccines doses delivered here in the Irish Republic to date.

Th Republic’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan has urged people to note that as people get familiar with the new advice on isolation periods, the importance of other protective measures should not in any measure be disregarded. He now recommended that medical grade or FFP2 masks (Currently available here in Thurles at Liberty Pharmacy, Liberty Square Thurles) are used by any confirmed case, or close contact or symptomatic person over the age of 13, as well as over 60s or vulnerable people in crowded settings.

Dr Holohan states that face masks play a key role in reducing transmission of Covid-19 if manufactured correctly, are well fitted and worn properly; in other words that they cover the nose, mouth and chin.

Northern Ireland’s Department of Health has reported a further 2,668 coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, down from the 2,954 cases reported yesterday.

To date, a total of 3,615,907 vaccines have been administered in Northern Ireland as of today. Of that total, 1,409,340 are first doses, 1,303,859 are second doses and the remaining are single doses. There have only been 883,372 booster vaccines delivered in Northern Ireland to date.

Northern Ireland’s Department of Health has reported 0 further Covid-19-related deaths also today.

Continue the downward virus trend by getting your booster dose as soon as applicable.

The Department of Health in the Irish Republic has confirmed 18,904 new cases of Covid-19 virus over the past 24 hours.

There remain 1,011 patients in our Republic’s hospitals with the virus, down 44 on the same time yesterday and of these, 92 patients are being treated in our intensive care units, a figure unchanged since yesterday.

The Republic’s Health Service Executive (HSE) portal for reporting positive antigen tests is now expected to go live on tomorrow.

These new confirmed figures come as the rules on close contacts of Covid-19 cases and the requirement to take a PCR test, are being relaxed from midnight tonight. The HSE also state that hospitalisation rates appear to be reducing with the less virulent Omicron variant.

Dr Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer, Health Service Executive has stated that people having received their booster dose of Covid-19 vaccine are better protected than those with primary vaccinations. He likened the first two vaccine doses to the first part of a flood wall, giving some protection, while the booster vaccine is a more solid, longer and thicker flood wall.
Dr Henry said that the body’s T-cells linger on and give protection, and are re-activated by the booster dose.

Meanwhile, Director-General of the Health Service Executive Mr Paul Reid has stated that he does not believe that mandatory vaccination for healthcare workers is the best course of action to take; rather he supports the approach of communicating with people to win their hearts and minds, but ultimately any such decision is a matter for our coalition Government to decide.

Northern Ireland’s Department of Health has confirmed a further 2,980 coronavirus cases over the past 24 hours today, up from the 2,922 cases reported yesterday.

Today, there remained 424 patients with Covid-19 in northern hospitals down from 439 yesterday, with 28 patients with Covid-19 in hospital intensive care units, down 1 on yesterday’s reported number.

Sadly, Northern Ireland’s Department of Health has also reported 14 more Covid-19-related deaths today, bringing their total number of deaths since the start of the pandemic to 3,031.

Once again, we remind our readers:
It was never more important at this time, that everyone now continue to support our schools, businesses, immediate family
and friends and to keep to the spirit of public health advice.