The Department of Health, here in the Irish Republic, has confirmed 3,793 new cases of Covid-19, in the past 24 hours.
There are 578 inpatients in the Republic’s hospitals who have tested positive for the virus, down 1 since yesterday and of these 117 patients are in ICU’s, 5 fewer than reported yesterday.
In Northern Ireland, another 1,992 new cases of coronavirus were reported in the past 24 hours, up from 1,585 on yesterday’s reported figures.
There remain 332 Covid inpatients in northern hospitals, down from 341 yesterday, with 30 patients being treated in intensive care units (ICU’s), up 1 case on yesterday’s figures.
Alas, sadly, 4 further Covid-19-related deaths have also been reported in Northern Ireland today.
The President of the European Commission, Frau Ursula von der Leyen has stated that it is her personal view that there should be a discussion at EU level on the idea of mandatory vaccination for Covid-19, with 66% of the entire EU population now vaccinated, this still means that up to 150 million people, or one third of the EU population, still remain unvaccinated.
Air travel to the USA will face tougher Covid-19 testing rules as other countries begin to tighten border controls in an attempt to slow the spread of the new Omicron variant. The first case of the Omicron variant was confirmed here in Ireland earlier today.
Dr Gerald Barry, latter assistant professor of virology at University College Dublin has stated that antigen testing on travellers arriving into Ireland will not reduce the spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 and is simply should be seen as window dressing. Professor Barry stated that there needs to be a bigger emphasis on controlling the spread of the disease within the country, rather than focusing simply on imprecise border controls.
Germany‘s health ministry has stated that the European Union roll-out of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for five to 11-year-olds will begin on December 13th, one week earlier than had been previously planned.
Here in Ireland, “Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme Rates” will be reduced from today, with same being part of the future plan to gradually wind this scheme down. In total, €5.58bn of taxpayers money has been spend on the scheme by the Irish Government; since it was first introduction.
Ireland’s Minister for Education Ms Norma Foley has said that face masks are not required during PE or during breaks in school yards and primary schools should adopt a practical approach over the next day or two, when it comes to implementing this new requirement for children in third class and above, to wear face coverings.
Half a million Covid-19 vaccines, donated by Ireland, through the COVAX facility have arrived in Nigeria.
Please do continue to listen to science and do keep yourself and your family safe by regularly washing your hands; wearing a mask when appropriate, and cut down on unnecessary social contacts.
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