Here in the Irish Republic, within the past 24 hours, the Department of Health have confirmed 17,065 new cases of Covid-19.
As of 8:00am, there were 1,023 patients in hospital suffering with the virus, an increase of 12 on figures reported yesterday. Of those patients 83 remain being treated in the Republic’s Hospital intensive care units, down 9 on yesterday.
Earlier today the Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Ronan Glynn, has stated that the National Public Health Emergency team is hopeful and believes that we are coming close to the peak of the Omicron wave. He confirmed he believed that there were grounds for optimism with things travelling presently in the right direction.
The number of people within our Republic presently on the Live Register and Pandemic Unemployment Payments rose by 5.8% to 229,657 in December; that is according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office. A total of 66,906 people were in receipt of the PUP in the last week of December, an increase of 11,906 in the numbers reported in November.
In Northern Ireland, their Department of Health has confirmed a further 2,954 coronavirus cases today, down from the 2,980 cases reported on yesterday.
Today, there were 402 patients with Covid-19 in hospitals in Northern Ireland, down from 424 yesterday, with 30 patients with Covid-19 in northern hospital intensive care units, up from 2 on Wednesday’s confirmed figures. Sadly, Northern Ireland’s Department of Health has also reported 4 more Covid-19-related deaths today, with the total number of deaths, since the start of the pandemic, now standing at 3,035.
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.
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.
With major traffic delays currently being experienced by motorists and other heavy duty, delivery vehicles, all attempting to pass through Thurles town; speeding traffic has greatly increased in both directions along the Mill Road, as same motorists attempt to access and exit the N62, thus avoiding the now generated bottleneck that is, alas, Liberty Square.
Mill Road surface, located west of the approach to Brady’s Mill. Pictures: G. Willoughby
Same excessive traffic has now seriously collapsed the edges of this narrow road’s surface, as motorists, heavy trucks and agricultural machinery wend their way northwards, from Littleton and the N62 turnoff, travelling towards the Mill Road roundabout, close to the dangerous bend, at the entrance to Brady’s Mill.
The road surface initially collapsed in this area last November, (see pictures above) following on partially from a ditch having been removed, leaving a soft unsupported margin.
Despite politicians and local councillors announcing major funding for roads in Co. Tipperary, same road collapse has gone totally unattended, leaving the area with surface furrows/ruts/tracks between 15cm and 22cm (6 and 9 inches) deep at the road’s edge and not clearly visible to advancing motorists.
Pre-deceased by his sisters Peg, Biddy and Anna, brothers Pat, Ailbe and Joe; Mr Carr passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, while in the care of staff at Cluain Arann Nursing Unit, Tipperary Town.
His passing is most deeply regretted by his loving wife Esther, daughters Bríd, Noreen (O’Brien, Tipperary) and Colette (McGrath, Cork), sons Vincent and Francis, sons-in-law Brian O’Brien and Vincent McGrath, daughters-in-law Siobhán (Ryan) and Elaine (Cahill), adored grandchildren Anna, David, Robert, Mark, Hugh, Evie, Ava, Patrick, Gavin, Faye and Ultan, brothers Ned and John, sisters Josie, Kathleen, Mary, Teresa, Sr. Nora and Betty, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nephews, nieces, extended relatives, neighbours and many friends.
[NB: Due to Public Health Guidelines, regarding C-19 virus restrictions; those attending Requiem Mass will continue to observe strict adherence to social distancing, face covering, with no hand shaking.]
The extended Carr family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time and have made arrangements for those wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.
The Department of Health in the Irish Republic have confirmed 20,909 new coronavirus cases and sadly 83 Covid-related deaths in the past week. The number of related deaths since the pandemic began now stands at a colossal 6,035.
There remain 1,055 people in our Republic’s hospitals with the virus, down 7 on yesterday. Of these, 92 patients are in intensive care units across our Republic; unchanged since yesterday.
The Republic’s Cabinet has approved changes to the isolation periods for Covid-19, which will come into effect from midnight tomorrow. This agreed Government decision brings to an end the five day isolation period for fully vaccinated close contacts, who do not have any Covid-19 symptoms. The Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Holohan has stated that the latest health changes were not just about removing rules regarding self-isolation for certain close contacts; but more about the importance of people wearing higher grade face masks.
The HSE has confirmed that, as of yesterday, there were around 95,000 children aged 5-11 years now registered for Covid-19 vaccinations, with some 80,000 appointments now offered, plus some 36,000 vaccinations having been administered in this particular age group.
Meanwhile, nationally the tougher public health measures recently introduced to curb the spread of the new Omicron variant, has triggered a small rise in unemployment of some 7.5% in December 2021, up from 6.9% in November 2021.
Northern Ireland’s Department of Health has also confirmed a further 2,922 coronavirus cases today, down however from the 3,420 cases reported yesterday. Sadly, they also report 2 further deaths, bringing their total number of virus associated deceased persons, since the start of the pandemic in Northern Ireland, to 3,017.
Today, there were 439 patients with Covid-19 in northern hospitals down 1 on yesterday and of this number, 29 patients are in hospital intensive care units, down 2 on yesterday.
Once again, we remind our readers: It was never more important that everyone now continue to support our schools, businesses, immediate family and friends and to keep to the spirit of public health advice.
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