There have been 13,765 new cases of Covid-19 reported by the Department of Health, here in the Irish Republic in the past 24 hours. Same recorded figures today represents the highest ever total number of cases confirmed in one day, overtaking the previous 11,182 cases announced just yesterday.
There are 378 patients with Covid-19 in our hospitals around the country, of whom 87 are being treated in intensive care units, down 2 on yesterday.
No figures for northern Ireland are presently available at time of going to press.
Health Service Executive has said Covid-19 vaccination clinics around the country will remain closed for Christmas Day and St Stephen’s Day. Vaccinators will resume vaccinating the over-40s, healthcare workers and people with underlying conditions, on Monday, December 27th next.
Meanwhile, a government panel of experts in Israel has recommended a fourth dose of a Covid-19 vaccine for all people aged over 60 and healthcare workers.
In Australia researchers are conducting a trial to see whether squirting an anticoagulant (blood thinner) into the nose could offer protection against Covid. This nasal spray uses the cheap drug heparin in an attempt to neutralise Covid’s spike protein. When sprayed into the nose of a Covid-infected person it appears to make them non-infectious, the researchers have stated.
European leaders are reinstating coronavirus restrictions, as the Omicron virus variant continues to spread across the continent. Germany and Portugal are among nations announcing post-Christmas curbs and greater social distancing measures. Omicron is now the dominant version in many European countries.
Time to cancel now and celebrate later, rather than celebrate now and grieve later.
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