The Department of Health has confirmed 5,279 new cases of the Covid-19 virus, in the past 24 hours, here in the Irish Republic.
There remain 443 people in hospital, who have tested positive for the virus; down 24 since yesterday, and of these 102 are in our ICUs, a reduction of 2 cases.
Here in Co. Tipperary 117 cases have been confirmed in the 14 days to December 18th last, while nationally since the pandemic began; of 661,388 confirmed cases, 5, 835 deaths have now been recorded.
Dr Kingston Mills (Trinity College Dublin Professor of Experimental Immunology), has stated that booster vaccination, need to be administered more quickly, as two doses of any Covid-19 vaccine gives little or no protection, (especially the AstraZeneca vaccine), against the rapidly spreading Omicron variant.
Professor Mills suggests that in South Africa, where the variant first emerged, Omicron variant is likely a more moderate strain than the Delta variant. However, this evidence has been somewhat skewed by the fact that a huge proportion of the population of South Africa had already been infected with the Delta variant; prior to the rise of Omicron, thus creating amongst South Africans, a level of natural immunity.
An Tánaiste Mr Leo Varadkar has announced enhanced business support schemes for the hospitality and arts sectors, latter hit by the latest lock-down restrictions.
They will include the reopening the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme to new applicants and a relaxation of the turnover reduction figure for the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme, to 40%. The measures are seen as better than the support provided to those sectors when Ireland was in a full Level 5 lockdown.
Another 2,096 new cases of coronavirus were reported in Northern Ireland also today; down from 2,148 cases on yesterday. As of today, the number of positive cases confirmed in the north over the past seven days was 14,876.
Today, there remained 268 patients with Covid-19 in northern hospitals in Northern Ireland, down from 276 on yesterday. There are 34 patients with Covid-19 in northern hospital intensive care units, the same number as reported yesterday.
Sadly, 3 more Covid-19-related deaths have also been reported in Northern Ireland today. The total number of deaths linked to Covid-19 in the north since the start of the pandemic is 2,955.
While Christmas cross-border trade from our Republic, stays healthy in Newry, latter divided by the Clanrye river in counties Armagh and Down; we learn that there are now 2,349 confirmed cases of the Omicron Covid-19 variant present in Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Health Minister Mr Robin Swann has stated today that up to two thirds of Covid-19 patients in Northern hospitals, aged under-50, are sadly unvaccinated.
Please, please do take all measures necessary to ensure a safe and happy Christmas in Co. Tipperary.
The Department of Health has confirmed 4,799 new cases of Covid-19, within the past 24 hours, in the Republic of Ireland.
There remain 467 patients in hospital with Covid, an increase of 31 on yesterday, with ICU numbers at 104, down 3 also on yesterday. Over the past seven days, some 300,000 people in the Republic have received a booster jab.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan has stated that the new restrictions beginning today will substantially cut the volume of total social contact across society, if people follow not just the letter, but the spirit of these new guidelines.
The European Union’s drug regulator has approved the use of the Covid-19 vaccine from US-based Novavax, same aimed at people aged 18 years and older. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has stated that data from two extensive studies showed the vaccine has an efficacy of around 90%.
The Chairperson of the South African Medical Association has stated that Omicron variant infection has so far lead to predominately mild disease in that country, with fewer people being hospitalised with the virus.
A further 2,148 new cases of coronavirus were reported in Northern Ireland today, up from the 1,798 cases reported yesterday.
There were 276 patients with Covid-19 in northern hospitals, down from the 312 reported on Friday, when figures were last updated, with 34 patients with Covid-19 in intensive care units. Sadly, 1 Covid-19-related death has also been confirmed in Northern Ireland today
Please, Please do take all measures necessary to ensure a safe and happy Christmas in Co. Tipperary.
The Department of Health has confirmed 5,124 new cases of Covid-19, in the past 24 hours, here in the Irish Republic; with 52% of reported cases now caused by the Omicron variant, latter making up the dominant strain.
There are 436 Covid patients in our hospitals, up 26 from yesterday, with ICU numbers remaining unchanged from yesterday at 107.
Almost 1.5m COVID booster doses have now been administered in Ireland.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan is urging anyone eligible for booster vaccinations to avail of same at the earliest possible opportunity. He has repeated his advice to reduce social contacts, meet others outdoors, work from home unless absolutely necessary, ensure the appropriate use of face masks, avoid crowds and to keep indoors well ventilated. He has also once again warned that if you have any Covid-19 symptoms please self-isolate immediately and arrange a PCR test, if you are a close contact of a confirmed case, please restrict your movements. HSE Chief Executive Mr Paul Reid has also seconded this advice.
Dublin Airport has stated there has been an increase in the number of people not showing up for flights following the recent changes to travel requirements.
A further 1,798 new cases of coronavirus were reported in Northern Ireland today, down from 2,075 reported yesterday. Sadly, 2 Covid-19-related deaths have also been reported today. The total number of deaths linked to Covid-19 in Northern Ireland since the start of the pandemic now stands at 2,952.
In Northern Ireland also executive ministers expect to impose new restrictions, same to be applied possibly after Christmas, despite forecasting potentially 11,000 infected cases per day, by Christmas Day.
Meanwhile in England, Britain’s Health Secretary has not ruled out the chances of further coronavirus measures being introduced, in the UK before Christmas, stating that the spread of the Omicron variant was a very fast moving situation.
Worldwide, the total known death-rate has now reached 5,352,372 since the pandemic began; with 202,624 known deaths occurring amongst 17,046,865 confirmed cases over just the past 28 days.
Please, Please do take all measures necessary to ensure a safe and happy Christmas in Co. Tipperary.
The Department of Health has confirmed 7,333 new cases of Covid-19 over the past 24 hours, in the Irish Republic, as same case figures recorded today, are the highest reported, since early January 2021.
There remain 410 Covid patients in our republics hospitals, down 10 on yesterday, while 107 patients are in ICUs across the country, up 2 from on yesterday.
An Taoiseach Mr Micheál Martin has stated that the worst of the pandemic could very well remain in front of us and the latest Covid-19 restrictions will be kept under constant review, as the Omicron variant spreads across the country.
You can view opening times and other information regarding your nearest vaccination centreHERE
In Northern Ireland, a further 2,075 confirmed cases of the virus have also notified by their Department of Health.
Sadly, a further 5 patients, having previously tested positive for Covid-19, have lost their lives.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that the Omicron coronavirus variant has been reported in 89 countries and the number of cases doubling in between 1.5 to 3 days, in areas with community transmission.
Like Ireland, the Netherlands will also implement a lock-down over the Christmas period to try to stop a surge of the Omicron coronavirus variant, Dutch Prime Minister Mr Mark Rutte has stated, this evening. Already today Municipal Authorities in the port city of Rotterdam had urged shoppers, via Twitter, to stay at home, because the city centre was over crowded.
Ignore politicians, keyboard warriors and other self-serving morons, all claiming to be outraged and disgusted at 8:00pm hospitality closures.
There are no closing time adjustments with regards to our hospitals.
Worldwide to date, as far as it can be accurately measured, some 274,008.273 have been infected by the Covid-19 pandemic, resulting, sadly, in deaths totalling 5,348,915. World Vaccine doses administered, amount to 8,654,835,015, according to Johns Hopkins University
Please, Please do take all measures necessary to ensure a safe and happy Christmas in Co. Tipperary.
Based on our public health advice and based on observations of how Omicron is ripping through the population in other countries; it has wisely and regrettably been decided, in the interest of public health, that the following restrictions be introduced with effect from tomorrow, Sunday December 19th until Sunday January 30th: –
All restaurants and bars, excluding takeaways or delivery services, must close at 8:00pm.
There should be no indoor events after 8:00pm.
For indoor events scheduled earlier in the day, attendance should be limited to 50% of venue capacity or 1,000 people, whichever is lower.
Attendance at all outdoor events should be limited to 50% of venue capacity or 5,000 people, whichever is lower.
Wedding receptions can take place after 8:00pm, but with a capacity limit of 100 guests.
Restricted movement advice for all close contacts will be enhanced. For those who have received a booster at least one week ago, they will have to restrict movement for five days and take three antigen tests.
For those that have not yet received a booster, they must restrict their movement for ten days. The HSE will consider the best testing regime for people in this category.
All people arriving into the country from overseas will be required to have an antigen or PCR test in line with their vaccination or recovery status.
And all passengers arriving in Ireland should now be advised to conduct antigen testing on a daily basis, for a period of five consecutive days commencing on the day of arrival.
This Christmas, please be safe, look after each other and trust in science.
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