The Department of Health has confirmed 4,163 new cases of Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, here in the Irish Republic.
There remain 545 people in hospital who have tested positive for the virus, down 33 since yesterday and of these there are 117 in our intensive care units, the latter figure unchanged overnight.
Another 2,272 new cases of coronavirus were reported in Northern Ireland over the past 24 hours, up from 1,992 on the number of cases reported yesterday.
There are 324 patients with Covid-19 in hospitals in Northern Ireland, down from 332 on yesterday, with 30 patients with Covid-19 being treated in intensive care units, the same number as reported yesterday. Sadly, 2 further Covid-19-related deaths have also been reported in Northern Ireland today.
The Irish Republic’s Government will assist businesses and the Irish work-force who are negatively affected by any new measures introduced to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, Mr Leo Varadkar has informed the Dáil that it would be judicious for the Cabinet to wait until the National Public Health Emergency Team gives its advice later today, before taking further decisions on any form of targeted financial supports.
The Minister for Health Mr Stephen Donnelly has informed the Dáil that he strongly believes there is a need to have a system of hotel quarantine ready and on hand to operate. The Minister stated that Ireland would be in a better position to act speedily should legislation be introduced to permit hotel quarantine should it is needed.
The HSE Chief Executive Mr Paul Reid has warned that the Republic’s hospital system is still under significant pressure from Covid-19, stating that we are still far from out of the woods despite being in the top five of EU countries with regard to the roll-out of booster vaccines, per head of population.
The European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) has stated that based on mathematical modelling conducted by them, there are indications that the new Omicron could account for over half of all Covid-19 infections in the EU/EEA within the coming months.
Following a meeting with the country’s regional leaders, Chancellor Angela Merkel has stated that Germany will now ban people who have not been vaccinated against Covid-19, removing them from greater involvement in public life.
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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